Geyser Season on Mars
NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has been observing the seasonal activity of carbon dioxide (CO2) geysers on Mars for over a decade. These geysers are formed when CO2 gas trapped beneath the Martian surface sublimates (turns directly from a solid to a gas) and escapes through cracks in the ice. The resulting jets of gas can reach heights of hundreds of meters and can last for several minutes.
Geyser season on Mars begins in the spring when the Sun’s heat begins to warm the Martian surface. As the surface temperature rises, the CO2 ice beneath the surface begins to sublimate. The gas that is produced builds up pressure until it eventually escapes through cracks in the ice. The resulting geysers can be seen as bright streaks on the Martian surface.
Geyser season typically lasts for several months. During this time, MRO can observe hundreds of geysers. The data that MRO collects can be used to study the Martian surface, the Martian atmosphere, and the Martian climate.
In addition to providing data on the Martian surface, MRO’s observations of geysers have also helped to identify potential landing sites for future missions. Geyser fields are often located in areas with a lot of water ice. This makes them ideal landing sites for missions that are looking for evidence of past or present life on Mars.
The next geyser season on Mars will begin in the spring of 2025. MRO will be there to observe the activity and collect valuable data.
Additional Information
- Geysers on Mars were first discovered by the Viking 1 and Viking 2 landers in the 1970s.
- MRO has been observing geysers on Mars since 2006.
- The largest geysers on Mars can reach heights of over 1 kilometer.
- Geysers are only active during the Martian spring and summer.
- Geyser fields are often located in areas with a lot of water ice.
Geyser Season on Mars
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