Mysterious Shapes on Mars

In recent satellite photos of Mars,  a remarkable discovery has been made – a series of formations that  closely resemble an ancient Inca city. What makes this finding even more  intriguing is the presence of hundreds of black spiders scattered  throughout the area. These spider-like formations have sparked a wave of  speculation and fascination among scientists and space enthusiasts  alike

Unusual Features

On Mars, peculiar dark formations appear during springtime. But these  aren’t actual spiders; they’re caused by sunlight hitting layers of  carbon dioxide built up over the dark winter. As the sunlight warms the  carbon dioxide ice at the bottom, it turns into gas, which bursts  through layers of ice above, carrying dark material to the surface.

Gas Geysers and Dark Spots

This escaping gas, carrying dark dust, shoots up through cracks in the  ice-like fountains before settling back down, leaving behind dark spots  ranging from 45 meters to 1 kilometer across. This same process also  creates spider-shaped patterns beneath the ice, indicating the presence  of these strange formations.

Observations by Spacecraft

The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) has captured clear images of these  patterns, resembling tendrils or webs. These spider formations, captured  by TGO, lie near the area shown in a new image from the Mars Express  spacecraft. The Mars Express image reveals dark spots on the surface  formed by escaping gas and material, while the TGO perspective captures  the web-like channels carved into the ice below.

Exploring Mars’s Landscape

These dark spots are scattered across hills and plateaus, with many  visible near a region nicknamed Inca City due to its geometric ridges  resembling Inca ruins. Inca City, formally known as Angustus  Labyrinthus, was discovered in 1972 and remains a mystery. Its ridges  may be dunes turned to stone or features related to glaciers.

Theories on Formation

The circular walls of Inca City, tracing an 86-kilometer diameter,  suggest it sits within a large crater formed by an impact. The landscape  also features round swirls and mounds formed by erosion over time. The  mission continues to study Mars’s surface, atmosphere, and environment,  shedding light on our planetary neighbor.

Conclusion

The discovery of the ‘Inca City’ and the spider-like formations on Mars  has ignited curiosity and speculation about the mysteries of our  neighboring planet. While the true nature and origin of these formations  are yet to be fully understood, they serve as a reminder of the  vastness and complexity of the universe we inhabit. The exploration of  Mars continues to captivate our imagination and push the boundaries of  scientific knowledge, bringing us one step closer to unlocking the  secrets of our cosmic neighborhood.