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"It will keep Mars scientists busy for the next 20 years trying to understand the processes that have produced this landscape."
According to the BBC report, recent findings suggest that there have been significant changes in the landscape of Mars, including the appearance of new valleys, gullies, and other features that were not previously observed.
The changes were discovered by analyzing high-resolution images taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), a spacecraft that has been orbiting Mars since 2006. Scientists used a technique called repeat imaging to compare images taken years apart and look for any differences.
There are several theories about the cause of these changes, including seasonal changes in temperature and the presence of liquid water in the past. Some scientists also suggest that the changes could be due to the melting of subsurface ice, which then collapses and creates new features on the surface.
These changes are significant because they show that Mars is an active planet, with ongoing geological processes that are reshaping its surface. This challenges the previous belief that Mars was a geologically dead planet and gives us a better understanding of the planet's history and potential for life.
Scientists are planning to continue analyzing data from the MRO and other spacecraft, as well as conducting further research and experiments to better understand the processes behind these changes. Future missions, such as the Mars 2020 rover, will also provide more information about the planet's geology and potential habitability.