NASA has revealed that a massive hole has been found on Mars , which could be a "portal" leading to an underground world of alien life. The American space agency shared an image of the 300-foot-wide hole opening on the Martian landscape as its Astronomy Picture of the Day.
The hole is located in the upper-right portion of a satellite photo taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2017 and is surrounded by a circular crater, adding even more enigma to the discovery.
NASA described the landscape as "Swiss cheese-like" with numerous holes showing "dusty, dark, Martian terrain beneath evaporating, light, carbon dioxide ice."
Is Martian Hole a portal to life?
"Holes such as this are of particular interest because they might be portals to lower levels that extend into expansive underground caves," said the researchers. "If so, these naturally occurring tunnels are relatively protected from the harsh surface of Mars, making them relatively good candidates to contain Martian life," they added.
NASA to explore the Martian hole?
America's experts on underground mysteries- the US Geological Survey (USGS) were brought in to find these Martian caves. In 2019, the USGS Astrogeology Science Centre created a map presenting over 1,000 potential cave entrances across Mars. However, a space scientist from the centre, Glen Cushing, added that "it is impossible to see how far any of them extend beneath the surface."
NASA thus noted that these pits are the "prime targets for possible future spacecraft, robots and even human interplanetary explorers."
While now it is hostile to life, scientists believe Mars was Earth-like billions of years ago. Due to its strong magnetic field and thick atmosphere, the planet is bombarded by deadly levels of cosmic and solar radiation. However, life may have survived below these caves in the soil, protected by natural shielding.
This means upon further exploration, scientists may find evidence of life in these underground environments and possibly answer whether there are other beings in the universe.
The hole is located in the upper-right portion of a satellite photo taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2017 and is surrounded by a circular crater, adding even more enigma to the discovery.
NASA described the landscape as "Swiss cheese-like" with numerous holes showing "dusty, dark, Martian terrain beneath evaporating, light, carbon dioxide ice."
Is Martian Hole a portal to life?
"Holes such as this are of particular interest because they might be portals to lower levels that extend into expansive underground caves," said the researchers. "If so, these naturally occurring tunnels are relatively protected from the harsh surface of Mars, making them relatively good candidates to contain Martian life," they added.
NASA to explore the Martian hole?
America's experts on underground mysteries- the US Geological Survey (USGS) were brought in to find these Martian caves. In 2019, the USGS Astrogeology Science Centre created a map presenting over 1,000 potential cave entrances across Mars. However, a space scientist from the centre, Glen Cushing, added that "it is impossible to see how far any of them extend beneath the surface."
NASA thus noted that these pits are the "prime targets for possible future spacecraft, robots and even human interplanetary explorers."
While now it is hostile to life, scientists believe Mars was Earth-like billions of years ago. Due to its strong magnetic field and thick atmosphere, the planet is bombarded by deadly levels of cosmic and solar radiation. However, life may have survived below these caves in the soil, protected by natural shielding.
This means upon further exploration, scientists may find evidence of life in these underground environments and possibly answer whether there are other beings in the universe.
You may also like
Seelampur Kunal Murder: Lady don enters Dalit teen murder case! Who is Zikra?
Vet says don't wake up your dog if they show key sign in sleep
Building collapses in Delhi's Mustafabad; several feared trapped
Schoolgirl's parents spot 'unusual' mark leading to eight day stay in intense care
Two seriously injured in knife attack outside supermarket in Germany
