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A unique gravity map of Mars has been unveiled by scientists at the Europlanet Science Congress 2024. This map reveals the presence of significant structures beneath Mars’ ancient ocean and highlights how mantle processes are influencing Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the Solar System. The study draws on data from NASA’s InSIGHT (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) mission and small satellite deviations.

Reevaluating Martian Geology

The upcoming paper, “The global gravity field of Mars reveals an active interior,” led by Bart Root from Delft University of Technology and published in Universe Today, challenges established geological theories. It questions the concept of flexural isostasy, which traditionally describes how a planet’s lithosphere, comprising the crust and upper mantle, reacts to large-scale loading.

On Earth, such loading typically causes a downward bending of the lithosphere, with surrounding areas uplifted slightly. However, Mars’ Tharsis Montes, a vast volcanic region, contradicts this model. Instead of sinking, Tharsis Montes is notably elevated.

Mars’ Hidden Features

The researchers suggest that active processes within Mars’ mantle are pushing Tharsis Montes upward, according to a Science Alert report. They identified a large mass approximately 1,750 kilometres across and 1,100 kilometres deep, likely a mantle plume exerting enough force to counteract the downward pressure from the volcanic region’s mass.

Additionally, the study uncovered dense, mysterious structures beneath Mars’ northern polar plains. These anomalies, buried under a smooth sediment layer, are around 300–400 kg/m³ denser than their surroundings. While similar structures on Earth’s Moon are linked to impact basins, Mars’ northern hemisphere anomalies show no such surface traces.

Future Exploration Plans

To further investigate these enigmatic structures and Mars’ gravity, the researchers advocate for the Martian Quantum Gravity (MaQuls) mission. Dr. Lisa Wörner from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), who presented the mission at EPSC2024, explained that MaQuls would employ technology akin to that used in the GRAIL and GRACE missions. This mission could provide deeper insights into Mars’ subsurface features and ongoing mantle convection, improving our understanding of the planet’s dynamic processes.

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Chandrayaan-4 Mission Gets Approval, Will Return to Earth This Time

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September 19, 2024

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Chandrayaan-4 Mission Gets Approval, Will Return to Earth This Time

Chandrayaan-4 mission has received approval from the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday. This marks another significant milestone in India’s lunar exploration efforts. Unlike previous missions, Chandrayaan-4 will not only aim for a successful landing on the Moon but will also focus on returning to Earth. This mission will demonstrate critical technologies that will allow for lunar samples to be collected, brought back to Earth, and studied. It represents an essential leap toward India’s long-term goal of landing on the Moon with humans by 2040.

Chandrayaan-4 to Develop Return Technologies

Chandrayaan-4 follows the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission and aims to further advance India’s capabilities in space. The mission will focus on developing technologies essential for docking, undocking, landing, and safe return from the Moon. Collecting lunar samples will also be a key feature, as India moves closer to a full-scale manned mission in the coming decades. The government’s vision includes an Indian Space Station by 2035, followed by human landings on the Moon by 2040.

Mission Details and Industry Involvement

The mission will be completed within 36 months of approval, with ISRO leading the development and launch. It will involve participation from both industry and academia. A budget of ₹2104.06 crore has been allocated for spacecraft development, launch vehicle missions, and deep space support.

This includes costs for special tests and design validation. High employment potential is expected in associated sectors due to this mission.

Aiming for Self-Sufficiency in Space Technologies

Chandrayaan-4 is set to make India self-reliant in crucial space technologies, helping the nation prepare for future manned missions and lunar explorations. The mission will also involve science meets and workshops to include Indian academia and ensure significant contributions to the analysis of lunar samples.

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Ancient Barracks Unearthed With Egyptian Pharaoh Inscribed Sword

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September 19, 2024

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Ancient Barracks Unearthed With Egyptian Pharaoh Inscribed Sword

A recent excavation in Egypt has uncovered a 3,200-year-old military barracks containing a treasure trove of ancient artefacts, including a sword inscribed with the name of Pharaoh Ramesses II. This discovery sheds light on Egypt’s military operations during Ramesses II’s reign, a time when threats from the Libyans were growing. The barracks also contained storerooms for grain, ovens for baking, and pottery filled with animal bones, including fish. Additionally, archaeologists found cow burials at the site, leading experts to suggest these animals were used for food.

Discovery of Bronze Sword and Limestone Blocks

Among the most significant finds was a bronze sword inscribed with Ramesses II’s name, discovered in a small room near what might have been a defensive position. According to Ahmed El Kharadly, an archaeologist with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, this suggests the sword was intended for combat and not merely ceremonial use.

The excavation also uncovered two limestone blocks with hieroglyphic inscriptions, one bearing the name of Ramesses II and the other referring to an official named Bay.

Strategic Military Location

The barracks were located along a military road in the northwest Nile Delta, a strategic point where Egyptian forces could defend against potential invasions from the western desert and the Mediterranean. The location of this site aligns with historical accounts indicating rising tensions between Egypt and Libyan groups.

Professor Anthony Spalinger from the University of Auckland noted that the garrison likely played a key role in controlling access to Egypt during this period.

Significance of the Discovery

Peter Brand, a history professor at the University of Memphis, highlighted the importance of the find for understanding the military strategy of Ramesses II. This well-preserved barracks offers rare insights into the logistics of Egypt’s armed forces at the time.

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A Wobble from Mars? It Could Be Dark Matter, Study Reveals

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September 19, 2024

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A Wobble from Mars? It Could Be Dark Matter, Study Reveals

MIT physicists have put forward a theory that the wobble in Mars’ orbit could be caused by primordial black holes, which may constitute dark matter. According to the research, these tiny black holes formed after the Big Bang and could be passing through our solar system, affecting the orbit of planets like Mars. David Kaiser, a professor of physics at MIT, suggests that the technology we have today could detect this slight shift in Mars’ orbit, which would be a significant breakthrough in understanding dark matter.

The Role of Primordial Black Holes

The study published in the journal Physical Review D suggests that dark matter could be made up of these primordial black holes, which are different from those formed from collapsed stars. These microscopic black holes may exert enough gravitational force to impact planetary orbits.

MIT’s team, including David Kaiser and Sarah Geller, used simulations to predict that these black holes pass through the solar system every decade or so. Their calculations show that even a black hole the size of an asteroid could influence Mars’ orbit.

Detecting the Wobble

Mars is an ideal candidate for this study because of its precise telemetry data. Instruments currently track its position with an accuracy of about 10 centimetres. A passing primordial black hole would cause Mars to deviate slightly from its regular orbit. Sarah Geller, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Santa Cruz, told Phys.org that while Earth and the Moon might also be affected, the data for Mars is clearer, making it easier to detect any potential anomalies.

What This Could Mean for Dark Matter Research

If such a wobble is detected, it could confirm the presence of primordial black holes and offer new insights into dark matter. The research highlights the need for precise observations and collaboration with experts in solar system dynamics to explore this phenomenon further.

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