Scientists studying the chemical composition of Mars have found a chloride-based smiley face on the surface. It may have held ancient life.
This infrared image of the Martian surface shows a smiling chloride deposit, which may indicate ancient life on Mars. | ESA/TGO/CaSSIS
“Once a world of rivers, lakes, and possibly oceans, Mars now reveals its secrets through chloride salt deposits found by our ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter,”A post shared by ESA – European Space Agency In space since 2016, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter is a joint mission between the ESA and Roscosmos. The mission’s primary objective is to “gain a better understanding of methane and other atmospheric gases that are present in small concentrations but nevertheless could be evidence for possible biological or geological activity.”
The new ancient smiley face is not the first the ESA has imaged on the Martian surface. Crater Galle, named for the German astronomer J.G. Galle is informally called the “happy face” crater, and was first seen by NASA’s Viking Orbiter 1 mission. The ESA’s High-Resolution Stereo Camera aboard the Mars Express spacecraft took a detailed look at the crater in 2006.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Scientists spot ancient 'smiley face' on Mars — and it could contain signs of lifeHarry is a U.K.-based staff writer at Live Science. He studied Marine Biology at the University of Exeter (Penryn campus) and after graduating started his own blog site 'Marine Madness,' which he continues to run with other ocean enthusiasts.
Read more »
'Smiley' face discovered on Mars may hint at life on the red planetRight now NASA’s Curiosity rover is still rolling around the Martian surface providing invaluable data about the red planet. Recently it accidentally broke open a rock while inspecting it, revealing a wild surprise.
Read more »
Mysterious ‘smiley’ face spotted on Mars, hints salt deposits, life on Red PlanetStunning new images from the ExoMars orbiter reveal ancient salt deposits on Mars, even forming a smiley face.
Read more »
Science news this week: 'Thorin' the last Neanderthal and a 'smiley face' on MarsAlexander McNamara is the Editor-in-Chief at Live Science, and has more than 15 years’ experience in publishing at digital titles.
Read more »
'Everything we found shattered our expectations': Archaeologists discover 1st ancient astronomical observatory from ancient EgyptReham Atya holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry and is a scientific writer and translator dedicated to making complex science accessible. Her work has appeared in various scientific journals and cultural platforms like Aljazeera.net.
Read more »
Ancient Rocks in Mars' Jezero Crater Confirm HabitabilityPerseverance has sampled seven sedimentary rocks in Jezero Crater which confirm that the ancient lake was once habitable.
Read more »