NASA orbiter discovers mysterious circular pit on Martian surface
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has uncovered a nearly perfect circular pit on the Martian surface, sparking scientific curiosity. The formation, affectionately dubbed "the little pit," was captured by the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera. This powerful lens can detail the Martian surface in both visible and near-infrared light. The pit is located in the shadow of Arsia Mons, a massive shield volcano spanning over 435km in diameter and standing nearly 19.31km tall.
Theories surrounding the formation of Martian pit
The formation process and contents of these pits remain a mystery to scientists. The pit was discovered in the Tharsis bulge, a region known for its historic volcanic activity and home to three nearly perfectly aligned dormant volcanoes. Given its location, scientists speculate that the pit could lead to a network of lava tubes, underground channels where molten rock once flowed. These Martian lava tubes are intriguing as they challenge the assumption that Mars is a 'dead' planet.
Potential shelters for astronauts
Martian lava tubes are of particular interest to scientists as they could potentially serve as shelter for future astronauts exploring the planet. However, there is much uncertainty surrounding these formations. Some images suggest that these pits could merely be cylindrical shafts and not entrances to caves or lava tubes. On Earth, similar structures known as pit craters are found on Hawaiian volcanoes, which result from deeper underground collapses and do not connect to long caves or lava tubes.
Sites for long-term bases
Despite uncertainties, scientists continue to explore the potential of these Martian formations. Some research suggests that Martian lava tubes could be far larger than those on Earth due to Mars's weaker gravity, potentially providing suitable locations for long-term bases on the planet. However, before any definitive conclusions can be drawn, scientists stress the need for up-close exploration of these underground networks. Currently, this task is beyond the capabilities of Martian rovers.
