30th April, 2024
CHIRANJIT MITRA
Images reveal dark, branching 'legs' with a central body, resembling arachnids.
These "spiders" appear mainly in the polar regions of Mars.
Dry Ice is the Culprit! Sunlight warms carbon dioxide ice trapped under the surface, turning it into gas.
The gas erupts violently, carving out channels resembling spider legs as it escapes.
Scientists call these unique formations araneiform terrain (literally, "spider-shaped terrain").
Studying araneiform terrain helps understand Mars' climate shifts and geological processes.
These so-called spiders reveal the dynamic nature of the Martian landscape.
Sometimes the most surprising things in the universe aren't alive... but they're still awe-inspiring!