Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about Mars’ interior using artificial intelligence. A new crater detected on the planet’s surface has revealed that seismic waves can travel deeper into the Martian mantle than previously thought.
The discovery was made possible by an AI-powered tool that quickly analyzed images from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to identify potential impact sites. The team found 123 fresh craters, with 49 showing matches with marsquake data, and identified a crater in Cerberus Fossae as the most likely source of a recorded seismic event.
The finding challenges existing models of Mars’ interior and opens new avenues for understanding its geological history. The Mars InSight lander has detected over 1,300 marsquakes, some caused by internal forces and others triggered by space rocks striking the planet.
This breakthrough marks a significant advance in planetary science, highlighting the importance of AI in accelerating discoveries. As researchers continue to analyze data from missions like NASA’s Perseverance rover and ESA’s ExoMars, AI tools will play an increasingly vital role in processing and interpreting findings.
The discovery was published in Geophysical Research Letters and is a testament to the power of collaboration between space agencies and institutions worldwide. With AI-driven tools improving the efficiency of crater detection and seismic analysis, future missions will be better equipped to unlock the secrets hidden beneath Mars’ surface.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/mars-insight-mro-spacecraft-teamed-up-with-ai-to-find-a-fresh-impact-crater