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News & Views |
Don’t judge the Moon’s interior by its cover
The Moon’s primordial solidification is believed to have produced a layer of dense ilmenite cumulates beneath the crust. Remnants of this layer have now been detected under the lunar nearside.
- Peter B. James
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Perspective |
Geological evidence for multiple climate transitions on Early Mars
Early Mars did not experience a single wet-to-dry transition, but seven such shifts in its palaeoclimatic history, as argued based on the planet’s stratigraphy, mineralogy and geomorphology.
- Edwin S. Kite
- & Susan Conway
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Article
| Open Access
Widespread small grabens consistent with recent tectonism on Mercury
The widespread occurrence of young grabens associated with larger compressional structures on Mercury’s surface suggests contractional tectonism has continued on the planet into geologically recent times.
- Benjamin Man
- , David A. Rothery
- & Jack Wright
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Article |
Lowland river sinuosity on Earth and Mars set by the pace of meandering and avulsion
Spatial patterns of channel sinuosity near river outlets reflect the interplay between the channel migration rate and the avulsion timescale, according to sinuosity measurements of lowland rivers on Earth and Mars and channel evolution simulations.
- Chenliang Wu
- , Wonsuck Kim
- & An Li
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Editorial |
Planetary science blasts off in China
There is much science to extract from mission data if China’s growing planetary science community is supported.
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Article
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A solar wind-derived water reservoir on the Moon hosted by impact glass beads
Analysis of lunar soils sampled by the Chang’e-5 mission suggests that impact glass beads may host a substantial inventory of solar wind-derived water on the Moon’s surface.
- Huicun He
- , Jianglong Ji
- & Fuyuan Wu
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Article |
The magmatic architecture and evolution of the Chang’e-5 lunar basalts
The lunar basalts sampled by the Chang’e-5 mission originated from melting of a clinopyroxene-rich mantle source enhanced in radioactive elements, potentially explaining this late lunar volcanism, according to sample analysis and crystallization modelling.
- Biji Luo
- , Zaicong Wang
- & Hongfei Zhang
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Review Article |
Coupling and interactions across the Martian whole atmosphere system
Spacecraft observations and climate modelling have revealed how atmospheric waves, dust storms and atmospheric loss processes are coupled throughout the atmosphere of Mars.
- Erdal Yiğit
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Article
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The diverse meteorology of Jezero crater over the first 250 sols of Perseverance on Mars
Meteorology measurements from NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars reveal a diversity of processes at work in the atmospheric boundary layer at Jezero crater over a range of temporal scales.
- J. A. Rodriguez-Manfredi
- , M. de la Torre Juarez
- & S. Zurita
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News & Views |
Estranged planetary twins
Venus and Earth have remarkably different surface conditions, yet the lithospheric thickness and heat flow on Venus may be Earth-like. This finding supports a tectonic regime with limited surface mobility and dominated by intrusive magmatism.
- Diogo L. Lourenço
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Article |
Formation of manganese oxides on early Mars due to active halogen cycling
Manganese oxidation experiments in Mars-like fluids suggest that chlorate and bromate may have been more effective oxidants of manganese on early Mars than atmospheric oxygen and explain observed manganese oxide deposits.
- Kaushik Mitra
- , Eleanor L. Moreland
- & Jeffrey G. Catalano
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Article |
Earth-like lithospheric thickness and heat flow on Venus consistent with active rifting
An analysis of elastic lithospheric thickness suggests most coronae on Venus form on thin lithosphere with heat flow similar to that of rift zones on Earth, supporting a planet with active rifting and a squishy-lid convective regime.
- Suzanne E. Smrekar
- , Colby Ostberg
- & Joseph G. O’Rourke
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Article |
Martian landscapes of fluvial ridges carved from ancient sedimentary basin fill
Numerical simulations of the exhumation of basin-filling river deposits suggest that ridge networks observed in Martian landscapes may represent erosional windows into sedimentary basins on Mars.
- Benjamin T. Cardenas
- , Michael P. Lamb
- & John P. Grotzinger
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Research Briefing |
First seismic detections of natural impacts linked to craters on another planet
Seismometers on the NASA InSight lander have identified unusual signals from meteoroid impacts on Mars. Impact locations were confirmed by satellite images of new craters at these sites and directly constrain the martian interior, confirming its crustal structure and ground-truthing the scaling of impact-induced seismicity.
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Newly formed craters on Mars located using seismic and acoustic wave data from InSight
Impact-induced acoustic and seismic wave events on Mars recorded by the InSight lander’s seismometer have been traced to fresh craters observed in spacecraft imagery.
- Raphael F. Garcia
- , Ingrid J. Daubar
- & William Bruce Banerdt
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News & Views |
Moon’s crustal porosity records impact history
The bulk crustal porosity of the lunar highland may have been generated early in the Moon’s history by basin-forming impacts and then declined exponentially. A new porosity evolution model constrains the timing and sequence of basin formation.
- Zhiyong Xiao
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Article |
Bombardment history of the Moon constrained by crustal porosity
Constraints on the cratering history of the Moon from the modelled production and removal of crustal porosity by impacts are inconsistent with an extended period of bombardment.
- Ya Huei Huang
- , Jason M. Soderblom
- & H. Jay Melosh
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Article |
Surface characteristics of the Zhurong Mars rover traverse at Utopia Planitia
Analysis of interactions between the wheels of the Zhurong rover and the terrain along the rover’s traverse reveals soils with high bearing strength and cohesion.
- L. Ding
- , R. Zhou
- & K. Di
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Article |
A nitrogen-rich atmosphere on ancient Mars consistent with isotopic evolution models
The isotopic composition of nitrogen in the Martian atmosphere can be explained by a nitrogen-rich ancient atmosphere, according to models of atmospheric evolution.
- Renyu Hu
- & Trent B. Thomas
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Article |
Lunar compositional asymmetry explained by mantle overturn following the South Pole–Aitken impact
The compositional asymmetry between the Moon’s near- and farsides can be explained as the result of impact-induced mantle convection and gravitational instability, according to numerical modelling of the South Pole–Aitken impact and the ensuing mantle evolution.
- Nan Zhang
- , Min Ding
- & Zongyu Yue
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Matters Arising |
No 182W evidence for early Moon formation
- Thomas S. Kruijer
- , Gregory J. Archer
- & Thorsten Kleine
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News & Views |
Intermittent warmth on young Mars
Warm and wet conditions could have episodically punctuated a generally cold early climate on Mars, according to a multidisciplinary modelling approach that potentially solves a five-decade long debate regarding warm conditions on early Mars.
- Nicolas Mangold
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Article |
Implantation of Martian atmospheric ions within the regolith of Phobos
Martian atmospheric atoms are implanted in and alter regolith grains on the nearside surface of Phobos, according to an analysis of observations of ion escape from Mars’s atmosphere.
- Q. Nénon
- , A. R. Poppe
- & J. P. McFadden
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Article |
The vertical structure of CO in the Martian atmosphere from the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter
The CO mixing ratio in Mars’s atmosphere increases towards the poles because of downward transport of CO from the upper atmosphere, according to an analysis of data from the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter.
- K. S. Olsen
- , F. Lefèvre
- & A. Shakun
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Article |
Valley formation on early Mars by subglacial and fluvial erosion
Some valleys in the southern highlands of Mars may have formed by subglacial erosion, consistent with a cold and icy early Mars, according to a statistical analysis of valley morphometry.
- Anna Grau Galofre
- , A. Mark Jellinek
- & Gordon R. Osinski
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Article |
Corona structures driven by plume–lithosphere interactions and evidence for ongoing plume activity on Venus
Thermomechanical modelling shows that the formation and diverse morphologies of coronae on Venus can be explained by interactions between the lithosphere and impinging mantle plumes. Some corona structures are consistent with ongoing plume activity.
- Anna J. P. Gülcher
- , Taras V. Gerya
- & Jessica Munch
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Article |
Geomorphological evidence for a dry dust avalanche origin of slope streaks on Mars
Patterns of erosion and deposition by some slope streaks on Mars are consistent with a dry dust avalanche origin, according to an analysis of orbital images before and after new streaks formed.
- Colin M. Dundas
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Article |
Experimental evidence for lava-like mud flows under Martian surface conditions
Experimental mudflows under Martian surface conditions propagate similarly to terrestrial pahoehoe lava flows, suggesting mud (rather than igneous) volcanism can explain some flow morphologies on Mars.
- Petr Brož
- , Ondřej Krýza
- & Manish R. Patel
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News & Views |
Clues to late accretion from Venus’s atmosphere
Whether Earth’s water was delivered early or late in its formation is debated. The composition of Venus’s atmosphere may indicate that late accretion, the final stage of planet formation, delivered little water to the terrestrial planets.
- Ramon Brasser
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Article |
Dry late accretion inferred from Venus’s coupled atmosphere and internal evolution
Venus’s atmospheric composition suggests limited water delivery to the terrestrial planets by late accretion, according to numerical simulations of the interior and atmospheric evolution of Venus under various late accretion scenarios.
- C. Gillmann
- , G. J. Golabek
- & V. Debaille
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Article |
Multiple early-formed water reservoirs in the interior of Mars
Mars’s mantle is chemically heterogeneous and contains multiple primordial water reservoirs, according to an analysis of the hydrogen isotopic composition of minerals in Martian meteorites.
- Jessica J. Barnes
- , Francis M. McCubbin
- & Carl B. Agee
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Article |
Early crust building enhanced on the Moon’s nearside by mantle melting-point depression
Early magmatism on the Moon’s nearside may have been enhanced by a geochemical anomaly lowering the melting point of the mantle source region, according to high-temperature experiments and thermal numerical modelling.
- Stephen M. Elardo
- , Matthieu Laneuville
- & Charles K. Shearer
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Article |
Distinct oxygen isotope compositions of the Earth and Moon
High-precision measurements suggest that the Earth and Moon have distinct oxygen isotope compositions. This implies distinct oxygen isotopic compositions of the proto-Earth and its impactor that were not fully homogenized by the Moon-forming impact.
- Erick J. Cano
- , Zachary D. Sharp
- & Charles K. Shearer
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Editorial |
Mars gets geophysical
The first marsquakes detected by NASA’s InSight mission mark just the start of seismology on Mars. Both Earth and planetary scientists alike should embrace this new frontier of geophysics.
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Comment |
Rebirth of extraterrestrial seismology
The InSight mission on Mars is currently providing us with the first seismic data from a planetary body other than our own Earth since the 1970s. Past efforts will inform this next chapter in planetary seismology.
- Yosio Nakamura
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News & Views |
InSight searches high to see below
Mars’s newest seismometer needed to separate marsquakes from meteorology. Continuous weather observations to keep it honest are revealing new facets of Mars’s churning atmosphere.
- Nicholas Heavens
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Perspective |
Initial results from the InSight mission on Mars
Geophysical and meteorological measurements by NASA’s InSight lander on Mars reveal a planet that is seismically active and provide information about the interior, surface and atmospheric workings of Mars.
- W. Bruce Banerdt
- , Suzanne E. Smrekar
- & Mark Wieczorek
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Article |
Crustal and time-varying magnetic fields at the InSight landing site on Mars
The magnetic field measured by the InSight lander on Mars varies daily and is ten times stronger than expected. The field is inferred to originate from components of basement rocks magnetized by an ancient dynamo of Earth-like strength.
- Catherine L. Johnson
- , Anna Mittelholz
- & William B. Banerdt
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Article |
The seismicity of Mars
Mars is seismically active: 24 subcrustal magnitude 3–4 marsquakes and 150 smaller events have been identified up to 30 September 2019, by an analysis of seismometer data from the InSight lander.
- D. Giardini
- , P. Lognonné
- & C. Yana
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Article |
Constraints on the shallow elastic and anelastic structure of Mars from InSight seismic data
The crust beneath the InSight lander on Mars is altered or fractured to 8–11 km depth and may bear volatiles, according to an analysis of seismic noise and wave scattering recorded by InSight’s seismometer.
- P. Lognonné
- , W. B. Banerdt
- & P. Zweifel
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Article |
The atmosphere of Mars as observed by InSight
The InSight lander has expanded our knowledge of the atmosphere of Mars by observing various phenomena, including airglow, bores, infrasound and Earth-like turbulence.
- Don Banfield
- , Aymeric Spiga
- & W. Bruce Banerdt
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Article |
A thick crustal block revealed by reconstructions of early Mars highlands
A discrete block of thick ancient crust revealed by a crustal reconstruction suggests a complex geologic history for the southern highlands of Mars.
- Sylvain Bouley
- , James Tuttle Keane
- & Brigitte Zanda
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Article |
An interval of high salinity in ancient Gale crater lake on Mars
Brines from evaporation of a lake in Gale crater on Mars are inferred from bulk enrichments of Ca- and Mg-sulfates in Hesperian sedimentary rocks, identified by geochemical analyses and observations by NASA’s rover Curiosity.
- W. Rapin
- , B. L. Ehlmann
- & A. R. Vasavada
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Article |
Tin isotopes indicative of liquid–vapour equilibration and separation in the Moon-forming disk
Vigorous mixing between the protolunar disk and Earth followed by processes in the cooling disk may explain the enrichment in light isotopes of tin on the Moon relative to Earth, as found by analysis of lunar rocks and geochemical calculations.
- Xueying Wang
- , Caroline Fitoussi
- & Sébastien Charnoz
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News & Views |
The Earth–Moon late-accretion conundrum
The distribution of iron-loving elements between the mantles of the Moon and Earth may differ from established belief, suggest two studies that determine the hafnium–tungsten ratio and sulfide–silicate melt partitioning of elements in the lunar mantle.
- Philipp Gleißner
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Article |
Early Moon formation inferred from hafnium–tungsten systematics
The Moon formed around 50 Myr after the Solar System, suggests a lunar silicate Hf/W ratio higher than that of Earth, from high-precision compositional analysis of lunar rock samples.
- Maxwell M. Thiemens
- , Peter Sprung
- & Carsten Münker
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Article |
Thick ice deposits in shallow simple craters on the Moon and Mercury
Ice deposits up to around 50 m thick infill some craters near the Moon’s south pole and Mercury’s north pole, as inferred from the poleward shallowing of simple craters.
- Lior Rubanenko
- , Jaahnavee Venkatraman
- & David A. Paige
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Article |
Decline of giant impacts on Mars by 4.48 billion years ago and an early opportunity for habitability
The oldest known minerals from Mars have no strong shock features, indicating early cessation of giant impacts there, according to microanalysis of zircon and baddeleyite grains in meteorites.
- D. E. Moser
- , G. A. Arcuri
- & C. Davis
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Article |
High-altitude water ice cloud formation on Mars controlled by interplanetary dust particles
Particles from interplanetary dust ablating in Mars’ atmosphere control high-altitude water ice cloud formation, according to numerical simulations of the Martian atmosphere.
- V. L Hartwick
- , O. B. Toon
- & N. G. Heavens
Synthesis of 13C-depleted organic matter from CO in a reducing early Martian atmosphere