Is there life on Mars?

Scientists have been hard at work for decades trying to find any life on the Red Planet. Could these “aliens spiders” be the sign they have been searching for?

Let’s explore what’s going on with this dusty red space rock.

Alien Spiders?

Although there’s more carbon dioxide than arachnids at work here, these spider-like etchings on Mars are interesting.

According to NASA, these radiating mounds are caused by the heating of the carbon dioxide ice below the planet’s surface.

When the carbon dioxide changes from a solid to a gas, the gas becomes trapped. Over time a tremendous amount of pressure builds up. When it becomes too much, it erupts as a jet of dust.

Gas is then released into the atmosphere with darker dust been deposited around the surface holes left behind. When the wind blows, this dust produces streaks that resemble spiders.

Fun Facts About Mars

Even though these alien arachnids aren’t really spiders, this red planet is still super-fascinating. Check out these fun facts about Mars.  

• Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun (Earth is #3).
• An abundance of iron oxide on the surface of Mars is what makes it red.
• Just like Earth, Mars has two polar ice caps (North and South). These polar caps are made from water.
• The temperature of Mars on an average summer day is -5 degrees C (23 degrees F). brrrr
• The surface of Mars has been continuously hit. In fact, there are over 43,000 large craters that have been left behind as a result.
• One year on Mars lasts 687 days.
• One day on Mars lasts 24 hours and 37 minutes.

If it were possible, would you like to visit Mars one day? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section.