NASA Orbiter Shines New Light on Long-Running Martian Mystery

1 mars south polar cap

Key Takeaways:

  • 1. Enhanced radar technique improves sub-surface observations on Mars.
  • 2. Suspected underground lake at Mars’ south pole likely a layer of rock and dust.
  • 3. Very large rolls of the spacecraft enhance radar signal penetration.

Results from an enhanced radar technique show that the suspected underground lake at Mars' south pole is more likely a layer of rock and dust. The innovative radar technique used by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) can be valuable for checking for subsurface resources on Mars. The technique involves rolling the spacecraft 120 degrees to enhance radar signal penetration. The study, led by MRO's Shallow Radar instrument scientists, provides insights into the Martian sub-surface and raises new questions. The radar signal detected suggests a different composition than initially thought, challenging the idea of a liquid water lake below Mars' surface.

Insight: The innovative radar technique used by MRO has the potential to uncover new information about Mars' sub-surface and assist in future exploration missions.

Read original article

This article was curated by memoment.jp from the feed source: NASA Breaking News.

Read the original article here: https://www.nasa.gov/missions/mars-reconnaissance-orbiter/nasa-orbiter-shines-new-light-on-long-running-martian-mystery/

© All rights belong to the original publisher.