‘Unearthly’ factors move the sand on Mars

New research on Mars sand movement reveals that the largest shifts occur in three distinct regions.

Daniel Stolte-Arizona • futurity
May 30, 2019 ~5 min

Buried north pole ice on Mars dates to ancient past

If the newly discovered ice under Mars' north pole melted, it could cover the planet in 5 feet of water.

Anton Caputo-UT Austin • futurity
May 29, 2019 ~5 min


Ancient ash is likely behind odd mineral deposit on Mars

A strange mineral deposit in the Nili Fossae region of Mars has puzzled scientists, but there's a new explanation for how it got there.

Kevin Stacey-Brown • futurity
May 23, 2019 ~6 min

Did hidden volcanoes heat up the ice cap on Mars?

Last year, research indicated there might be water under the south ice cap on Mars. Now, researchers say volcanoes must've been involved.

U. Arizona • futurity
Feb. 21, 2019 ~7 min

Farewell: Opportunity ends 15-year mission to Mars

Built to last 90 days, the Mars rover Opportunity finally ended its mission this week after 15 years. "It was an honorable end..."

Blaine Friedlander-Cornell • futurity
Feb. 14, 2019 ~5 min

Mars trip could mess with ‘rookie’ immune systems

"What NASA and other space agencies are concerned about is whether or not the immune system is going to be compromised during very prolonged spaceflight missions."

U. Arizona • futurity
Feb. 4, 2019 ~5 min

Years-old Mars rover gets a new trick

Six and a half years into its mission on the red planet, scientists are still finding new ways to use NASA's Curiosity rover.

Jill Rosen-Johns Hopkins • futurity
Feb. 1, 2019 ~5 min

Ancient asteroid strike may explain Martian moon’s odd grooves

Scientists have debated how Phobos got its strange grooves for 40 years. Now, new research may bring them closer to an answer.

Kevin Stacey-Brown • futurity
Nov. 26, 2018 ~6 min


Heavy rain brought death to arid Atacama Desert

"After it rained, there were only two to four microbe species found in the lagoons. The extinction event was massive."

Blaine Friedlander-Cornell • futurity
Nov. 14, 2018 ~3 min

‘Electric’ dust storms create key chemical in Martian dirt

The high concentration of a particular chemical in the soil on Mars could serve as an energy source for some microbes.

Talia Ogliore-WUSTL • futurity
Oct. 29, 2018 ~6 min

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