Meteoroid Impact Unveils New Geological Features on Mars

A recent meteoroid impact on Mars has left its mark in the form of hundreds of new surface streaks, as captured by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. This event occurred on the slopes of Apollinaris Mons on Christmas Eve 2023, revealing a striking image taken by the spacecraft’s Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS). The photograph not only showcases the fresh streaks but also highlights a faint cluster of impact craters located at the base of the affected slopes.

Following a thorough investigation of additional imagery, scientists established that the creation of these streaks took place between the years 2013 and 2017. The prominent theory behind the formation of these features indicates that it’s primarily due to the sudden slide of fine dust from steep Martian terrain, as the planet lacks any substantial evidence of liquid water. Consequently, researchers have concluded that the majority of these geological changes are instigated by dry processes linked to wind and dust activity on Mars.

A comprehensive study featured in Nature Communications reveals that incidents involving meteoroids are rather uncommon in the context of slope streak formation. In fact, fewer than one out of every thousand streaks can be directly attributed to such impacts. The research emphasizes that seasonal variations, alongside dust and wind dynamics, play a more pivotal role in the creation of these phenomena. Lead researcher Valentin Bickel from the University of Bern underscores this point, stating that while meteoroid impacts and seismic events are limited to specific areas, they have a minor influence on a global scale.

Using advanced deep learning algorithms to analyze more than two million slope streaks sourced from images captured by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter between 2006 and 2024, Bickel cataloged these features, identifying five significant hotspots across the Martian surface. The findings present an opportunity for enhanced understanding of Mars’ current conditions, as Colin Wilson, the European Space Agency’s project scientist for the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, notes the importance of long-term, comprehensive observations of the planet.

The Trace Gas Orbiter remains dedicated to capturing extensive imagery of Mars, focusing on both its historical narratives and potential for harboring life. The orbiter prides itself on delivering exceptional images and offering the most thorough inventory of atmospheric gases while mapping significant locations linked to past water presence. Understanding Mars’ water history and the implications for former life are central tenets of the ESA’s ExoMars missions. The recent striking image encompasses an area of around six square kilometers and was taken at coordinates 7.1°S, 173.4°E.