Springtime in the South Polar region of Mars is a season of exciting activity. The thick coating of carbon dioxide ice that accumulated over the winter begins to sublimate (turn to vapor) as the sun rises higher in the sky and warms the ice. Sunlight penetrates through the transparent ice, and is absorbed at the base of the ice layer. The gas that forms as a result of the warming escapes through weaknesses in the ice and erupts in the form of magnificent geysers of gas and dust.
Related posts
-
The Next Full Moon is the Worm Moon
Skywatching Science Skywatching The Next Full Moon is the Worm… Skywatching Home What’s Up What to... -
Varda space capsule returns to Earth in 1st commercial landing in Australian Outback (photos)
Varda Space has successfully landed a reentry capsule in Australia, delivering critical data that could advance... -
ROAMX testing in the Planetary Aeolian Laboratory (PAL) at NASA Ames Research Center
Rotor Optimization for the Advancement of Mars eXploration (ROAMX) hover test stand with ROAMX blades installed...