💧 Wet Planet: Miles-thick ice at Mars equator, water would fill Red Sea

In the seemingly barren expanse of Mars, evidence strongly indicates a watery past, with dried river channels, ancient ocean and lake beds, and water-eroded valleys on its surface.

Recently, the European Space Agency's orbiter unveiled conclusive proof of a substantial ice reservoir near the Martian equator. If melted, this ice could blanket the entire Martian landscape with 1.5 to 2.7 meters of water. This discovery represents the most significant water presence in this region of Mars, sufficient to fill Earth's Red Sea in today’s Must Read.

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The Mars Express orbiter unveiled intriguing findings about the equatorial Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF) – the Martian equatorial region, indicating layers of water ice extending several kilometers below its surface. Characterized by wind-sculpted features spanning hundreds of kilometers, MFF has long perplexed planetary scientists.

Fifteen years ago, Mars Express revealed substantial deposits reaching depths of up to 2.5 kilometers, hinting at the transparency to radar and low density typical of ice. Initially, uncertainties persisted regarding the nature of these deposits—whether they comprised windblown dust, volcanic ash, or layers of ice. Recent radar observations have now provided clarity, confirming the presence of extensive layers of water ice on the Red Planet.

Scientists have identified magnetic anomalies in "anomalous rocks" on the lunar surface near Reiner Gamma, marking the first discovery of such rocks. The meter-sized rocks, covered in dust, raise questions about the Moon's magnetic properties. Scientists believe that these findings will contribute to understanding the Moon's history and its magnetic core, addressing the current limitations in knowledge.

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