NASA’s MAVEN orbiter has taken several views of Mars in the ultraviolet light (which is light beyond what our eyes can see). Doing this can reveal new features or systems taking place on the planet.

The images were taken at different times in Mars orbit. Here we present the images next to generated images of Mars for easy comparison.

NASA’s year long Mars analog has just begun with the sealing in of its four crew members. The habitat for the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) will not be reopened – assuming all goes well – until July 2024.

It’s twenty years since the launch of Mars Express and later this year it will also complete twenty years of orbiting Mars – it continues to be one of the most successful orbiters ever.

If you’re a current researcher looking for opportunities to work on Planetary Science you can apply for funding through the UK Space Agencies and help explore Mars!

It’s the year 2023 on Earth (by the Gregorian calendar). And it’s the year 37 on Mars (by a NASA calendar). Earth’s New year will start on the 1st of January, the new Martian year started on the 26th of December.

How is that possible?

Good news! The UK Built rover “Rosalind Franklin” will go to Mars! It was to ride on a Russian rocket back in September, but when that was cancelled everyone thought the rover when never get of the ground.

The Perseverance Rover carries a device called MOXIE which can generate oxygen. Since the rover’s touchdown on Mars this device has been periodically generating oxygen in many different conditions on Mars.

This is exciting news when it comes to putting people on Mars. This means the oxygen they need could be generated at their landing point before they’ve even left. They’ll need oxygen to breath, but it’s also essential for fuelling any rocket that would get them back to Earth.

A Martian habitat is popping up in the centre of Bristol, UK.

The artists Ella Good and Nicki Kent spent seven years achieved their goal of building a Martian Habitat. And it’s one you can go and visit.