Mars continues to fascinate us with its mysteries, and the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) is bringing us some amazing new views of the planet. By orbiting about 400 kilometers (248 miles) above the Martian surface, the TGO has captured incredible images that reveal more about Mars’ history and the potential for it to have supported life.
Hidden Ice in Utopia Planitia
One of the most exciting discoveries comes from Utopia Planitia, a massive impact basin that’s the largest in the solar system, stretching 3,300 kilometers (2,050 miles) across. In this region, the TGO spotted a crater about eight kilometers wide that appears to hold secrets of buried water ice.
When the crater formed, the impact likely melted some of this ice, creating a mix of water and debris that spread out in all directions, forming what scientists call a “fluidized ejecta blanket.” You can also spot features like landslides and wind-shaped ripples, hinting at a watery past for the area.
Southern Highlands of Mars Ancient Crater
Over in Mars’ southern highlands, the TGO has been studying a 15-kilometer-wide crater in a region called Tyrrhena Terra. This crater is super old and shows clear signs of wearing down over time. Its rim isn’t as sharp anymore, and the debris around it has been eroded. Inside, smaller craters and even dark sand dunes have formed, painting a picture of a planet that’s constantly changing, even if it’s slower than Earth.
Ganges Chasma’s Stunning Layers
The Ganges Chasma, part of Mars’ giant canyon system called Valles Marineris, is another area getting some love from the TGO. The orbiter found craters here with patterns that suggest water ice was involved when they were created. By using special imaging techniques, scientists can spot different minerals in the surface rock, which tells them more about how Mars has evolved over time. The larger crater in this area is about four kilometers wide, and there’s a smaller one nearby at 1.1 kilometers. These features help researchers learn more about Mars’ mineral makeup.
What’s the Exo Mars Mission All About?
The ExoMars program is a joint effort between ESA and the Russian space agency Roscosmos. The mission started in 2016 when the TGO was launched. Its job is to study trace gases in Mars’ atmosphere, like methane, which could hint at biological or geological activity. The TGO also takes these jaw-dropping images to show us what Mars looks like up close. In 2028, the mission will add the Rosalind Franklin rover to explore the planet’s surface even more deeply.
Why It Matters
All these discoveries are huge for scientists trying to figure out if Mars could have supported life. Water is essential for life as we know it, and finding evidence of water ice on Mars means there might have been a time when the planet was habitable. These findings don’t just tell us about Mars’ past—they guide future missions that aim to answer the big question: Did life ever exist on the Red Planet?
Mars is far from just a dusty, empty world. Thanks to missions like ExoMars, we’re uncovering its secrets one step at a time. Who knows what the next discovery will be?