Providence, Rhode Island – Planetary scientists were taken by surprise after discovering frost near Mars’ equator, contradicting previous beliefs about the planet’s climatic conditions. The European Space Agency’s ExoMars and Mars Express missions captured images of water frost on the Tharsis volcanoes, including the colossal Olympus Mons, which stands three times taller than Mount Everest.
The findings, published in Nature Geoscience, showcased the presence of frost in an area where it was deemed improbable due to Mars’ thin atmosphere and intense sunlight. Lead author Adomas Valantinas, formerly a Ph.D. student at the University of Bern and now a postdoctoral researcher at Brown University, expressed excitement about the unprecedented discovery.
The unique environment on Mars presents challenges not encountered on Earth, where frosty peaks are common. Despite the low atmospheric pressure, moist air ascending the mountain slopes condenses as frost in the frigid calderas of the Tharsis volcanoes, creating a microclimate unseen before. The frost, equivalent to approximately 60 Olympic swimming pools in volume, only exists for a brief period around sunrise before evaporating under the sun’s intensity.
ExoMars TGO and Mars Express stumbled upon the frost during their orbital missions, highlighting the importance of timing and positioning in astronomical observations. The discovery of frost on Mars’ volcanic summits was considered overdue, as most orbiters around Mars are synchronized to observe the planet in the afternoon, missing the crucial early morning hours required for such observations.
Valantinas pointed out that frost deposition on Mars is closely tied to the planet’s colder seasons, making the window for detection narrow and challenging. The revelation of frost near Mars’ equator not only underscores the complexity of Mars’ climate but also raises questions about the planet’s geological and atmospheric processes. The untapped potential for further discoveries on Mars continues to intrigue scientists and space exploration enthusiasts alike.
Mars Frost Shock: Secret Microclimate Discovered Near Equator