Giant volcano discovered in Mars’ Tharsis volcanic province

Giant volcano discovered in Mars’ Tharsis volcanic province

Scientists at the 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in The Woodlands, Texas, announced the discovery of a vast volcano and a potential glacier ice sheet in Mars’ Tharsis volcanic province, near the equator. The finding, based on images from spacecraft orbiting Mars since 1971, highlights a volcano provisionally named “Noctis” and suggests the presence of glacier ice beneath a volcanic deposit. This discovery opens new avenues for studying Mars’ geological evolution and future exploration.

InSight mission confirms eight meteoroid impact events on Mars

InSight mission confirms eight meteoroid impact events on Mars

A team of researchers utilizing data provided by NASA’s InSight mission has confirmed two new seismic events caused by meteoroid impacts on Mars, bringing the total number to 8. The study, employing a combination of seismic data and orbital imagery, has successfully pinpointed fresh impact craters, enhancing our understanding of Martian surface and atmospheric interactions.

First observation of a polar cyclone on Uranus

First observation of a polar cyclone on Uranus

NASA scientists have confirmed the presence of a polar cyclone at the north pole of Uranus. The data, gathered between 2015 and 2022 using the Very Large Array in New Mexico, revealed warmer and drier air circulating below the planet’s clouds, a key indicator of cyclonic activity. The findings were published in Geophysical Research Letters.

Astronomers record small asteroid impacting Jupiter

Astronomers record small asteroid impacting Jupiter

A bright fireball — most likely a small asteroid or a comet — struck Jupiter at 22:39 UTC on September 13, 2021. The impact was seen and captured by astronomers across the world who were observing the ongoing transit of the shadow of Jupiter's moon Io. "A…

C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein) – the largest comet ever discovered

C/2014 UN271 (Bernardinelli-Bernstein) – the largest comet ever discovered

Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein (C/2014 UN271) — the largest comet ever discovered — is heading towards our solar system and forecast to make its closest approach in 2031 at 10.1 AU or slightly farther than Saturn. The current estimate suggests its nucleus is…