Student Article

Mars has long been a subject of fascination for scientists and space enthusiasts alike. A recent discovery has unveiled something remarkable beneath the surface of the Red Planet, offering new insights and possibilities for future exploration.

Ice hidden beneath the surface

Scientists have uncovered a significant discovery on Mars: ice buried beneath the planet's equator. This finding was made possible using new data from ESA's Mars Express spacecraft, which revealed the presence of ice in the Medusae Fossae Formation.

Solving a 15-year mystery

Fifteen years ago, Mars Express detected massive deposits under this region, but their composition remained a mystery. Now, scientists have confirmed that these deposits are composed of ice, and they are much thicker than previously estimated, reaching depths of approximately 2.3 miles (3.7 kilometers).

Enough water to fill a sea

If all this ice were to melt, it would create a layer of water 4.9 to 8.9 feet (1.5 to 2.7 meters) deep, enough to fill Earth's Red Sea. This discovery is crucial for future human missions to Mars, as the ice could serve as a vital water source for astronauts. These missions would likely target the equator rather than the ice-rich polar caps.

Why didn’t we see it sooner?

The ice is interspersed with dust, making detection challenging. However, new radar data has allowed scientists to determine that the deposits are indeed ice. The dust layer on top acts as a protective barrier, preventing the ice from melting.

A glimpse into Mars's ancient past

This ice could not have formed under Mars's current climatic conditions, indicating that it is a remnant from a previous epoch. This discovery challenges our current understanding of Mars's climate history and raises new questions for future research.

© Noa Leach / Our Media