Araneiforms on Mars: Scientists recreate 'spiders' in the lab
Mars has something on its surface that cannot be found anywhere else in the solar system. Unusual dark structures, which resemble spiders in appearance, are known as araneiforms. They appear in the southern polar region of the planet during spring. Scientists have recently managed to recreate these formations in a laboratory, leading to discoveries regarding the processes shaping Mars' landscape, reports the Science Alert portal.
The mystery of araneiforms
Araneiforms are not living spiders but rather systems of dark corridors formed from dust. Geophysicist Hugh Kieffer thoroughly studied the formation of these structures, which he described in his model between 2006 and 2007. In winter on Mars, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere turns into ice.
When spring comes, the ice sublimates, transitioning directly from a solid to a gaseous phase. The gas then accumulates under the ice layer until the pressure causes the ice to crack and burst. This releases the darker rocky material, creating spider-like shapes.
Laboratory simulations
A team led by Lauren McKeown from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory experimented in the special DUSTIE chamber, replicating Martian conditions. The researchers first cooled the simulant regolith using liquid nitrogen and then introduced carbon dioxide into the chamber, which turned into ice. Upon warming, the ice exploded, resulting in the formation of structures resembling araneiforms.
Unexpected experimental results
During the experiments, it turned out that the ice formed within the dust layer rather than between the ice and the ground, as Kieffer's model predicted. This explains why cracks appear from the inside rather than on the surface. The team considered Kieffer's model accurate but emphasised the need for further research to better understand these and other seasonal formations on Mars.
The future of research
Scientists plan to expand their experiments to understand better the processes forming araneiforms. Their goal is to match laboratory conditions to real conditions on Mars precisely. The results of these studies could significantly expand our knowledge of the planet's climate and geology.
The research findings were published in "The Planetary Science Journal", providing new insights into the fascinating geological processes on Mars. According to Science Alert, these discoveries are another step towards uncovering the mysteries of the Red Planet.
