Acquired on May 2018, during winter at southern pole of Mars. NASA got some pictures, which was obtained by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. It shows a region covered by the carbon dioxide ice cap. After winter, when the sun became hotter, spiders started to emerge from these landscapes.
What does the scientist say?
The scientist said that “But these aren’t actual spiders. Called ‘araneiform terrain.’ Spider-like radiating mounds, which heated up and started to release the gas.
“This is an active seasonal process not seen on Earth.”
It is described as dry ice, which is found on Earth. This Martian ice was something exactly like that. Just like dry ice. It had started to change form directly from solid to gas. Which happens as the temperature rises.
Apparently, when ice starts to supplement, that gas gets trapped below the surface. The carbon dioxide which gets trapped below the surface breaks free from the atmosphere, which is due to the constant growing pressure on it.
NASA said: “After some time the trapped carbon dioxide becomes strong enough to break through the ice as jet because of the pressure build in it. To produce streaks the gas is released into the atmosphere, and because of this, the darker dust gets deposited around the vent.The loss of the sublimated carbon dioxide leaves behind these spider-like features etched into the surface.”
The pictures at first had left scientist blown away. Now, scientists point out one more reason why colonization of Mars is a huge problem. The fact that the temperature gets so low that the ice on the planet. Is formed from Carbon dioxide, not water. Is probably one of the significant issues that humans are going to be facing if ever we decided to try to colonize the planet.
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)
The spacecraft that sent these pictures is of $720 million. It was launched a decade ago. All the way back in 2005. The purpose of the spacecraft is to conduct reconnaissance and exploration of the planet. So far even after a decade, it undoubtedly is serving its purpose. Also, implies the success of the mission.