Explanation: What created this unusual hole in Mars? The hole was discovered by chance on images of the dusty slopes of Mars' Pavonis Mons volcano taken by the HiRISE instrument aboard the robotic Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter currently circling Mars. The hole appears to be an opening to an underground cavern, partly illuminated on the image right. Analysis of this and follow-up images revealed the opening to be about 35 meters across, while the interior shadow angle indicates that the underlying cavern is roughly 20 meters deep. Why there is a circular crater surrounding this hole remains a topic of speculation, as is the full extent of the underlying cavern. Holes such as this are of particular interest because their interior caves are relatively protected from the harsh surface of Mars, making them relatively good candidates to contain Martian life. These pits are therefore prime targets for possible future spacecraft, robots, and even human interplanetary explorers.
Image Credit: NASA, JPL, U. Arizona
Zoobabwa wrote 314 Days Ago (positive) 1Looks like a collapse or sinkhole to me...the cause would be the interesting part. Could be good evidence for underground water!0 points
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Dragonstarsurfer wrote 318 Days Ago (neutral) 0Portals to inner mars? maybe they are getting ready to launch some space craft out this portal and many others that are on mars that are airbrushed away or covered up digitally by our friends at nasa that handle all satellite imagery?1 point
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