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Astronomy Picture of the Day - An Unusual Hole in Mars
NASA ^ | 13 Apr, 2025 | Image Credit: NASA, MRO, HiRISE, JPL, U. Arizona

Posted on 04/13/2025 12:25:01 PM PDT by MtnClimber

Explanation: What created this unusual hole in Mars? Actually, there are numerous holes pictured in this Swiss cheese-like landscape, with all-but-one of them showing a dusty, dark, Martian terrain beneath evaporating, light, carbon dioxide ice. The most unusual hole is on the upper right, spans about 100 meters, and seems to punch through to a lower level. Why this hole exists and why it is surrounded by a circular crater remains a topic of speculation, although a leading hypothesis is that it was created by a meteor impact. Holes such as this are of particular interest because they might be portals to lower levels that extend into expansive underground caves. If so, these naturally occurring tunnels are relatively protected from the harsh surface of Mars, making them relatively good candidates to contain Martian life. These pits are therefore also prime targets for possible future spacecraft, robots, and even human interplanetary explorers.


TOPICS: Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; astronomy; mars; nasa; science
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To: Nateman

But where’s Ziggy S.? Didn’t it get a picture of him, too?


21 posted on 04/13/2025 4:59:58 PM PDT by curious7
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To: sit-rep
Here’s your answer-

https://science.nasa.gov/mission/mars-reconnaissance-orbiter/

It’s been orbiting Mars and snapping high resolution images for a while.

22 posted on 04/13/2025 5:08:35 PM PDT by telescope115 (I NEED MY SPACE!!! 🔭)
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To: telescope115

well it sounds like the mood has changed... sorry to bother.


23 posted on 04/13/2025 5:35:03 PM PDT by sit-rep
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To: sit-rep

? It’s no bother. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has been doing its thing for 20 years, and has taken some stunning images of Mars. It’s really cool.


24 posted on 04/13/2025 5:47:54 PM PDT by telescope115 (I NEED MY SPACE!!! 🔭)
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To: MtnClimber

What?

No Unusual hole in Uranus?..................


25 posted on 04/14/2025 5:42:45 AM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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