NASA Discovers Mysterious Martian 'Hole' That Could Shelter Future Astronauts

NASA Discovers Mysterious , Martian 'Hole' That Could , Shelter Future Astronauts.
'LiveScience' reports that scientists have
discovered a mysterious pit on the side
of an ancient volcano on Mars.
The discovery has generated
excitement due to what it may reveal
beneath the Red Planet's surface.
Images of the pit were
first captured by NASA's
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. .
The hole's origins and
depth remain unknown.
This pit, found on an extinct lava flow of Arsia Mons,
appears to be a vertical shaft that scientists
believe could lead to a much larger cavern. .
The pit could also be a deep
lava tube formed at a time when
Arsia Mons was still active.
Due to the thin atmosphere and lack of a magnetic
field, scientists have looked to pits and caves to
potentially shelter astronauts in the future. .
'LiveScience' reports that if Mars ever hosted life, those
organisms may have sheltered in pits like this one, which
could offer protection and even allow life to flourish. .
If future missions reveal that the pit leads to a large
open cave, it could provide the perfect landing
site for crewed missions to Mars in the future.