Spiders on Mars? ESA spacecraft sees traces of spiders on the Red Planet

The European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft has uncovered the telltale traces of 'spiders' scattered across the southern polar region of the Red Planet.

These spider-like patterns spotted on the Martian surface are not actual spiders. They are formed when carbon dioxide gas warms up in sunlight and erupts through the ice's surface. As a result, intricate and branched channels are carved in the Martian soil. The exposed darker material creates noticeable blotches against the lighter terrain.

The above view of Inca City and its hidden arachnid residents was captured by Mars Express' High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC).

Inca City is believed to be part of a large crater, formed by a meteorite impact that also triggered a series of geological faults in the surrounding plain. Over time, these faults were filled with lava and subsequently eroded, leaving behind the distinct linear ridges seen today.

"We’re still not sure exactly how Inca City formed. It could be that sand dunes have turned to stone over time. Perhaps material such as magma or sand is seeping through fractured sheets of Martian rock. Or, the ridges could be 'eskers', winding structures related to glaciers," ESA wrote in a post.

Spiders on Mars? No, these dark spots, seen by ESA’s Mars Express on the outskirts of an area nicknamed 'Inca City' in the southern polar region of Mars, have a more 'down to Earth' explanation... pic.twitter.com/1A31L2iOMN

— European Space Agency (@esa) April 24, 2024

For over two decades, Mars Express has been a crucial tool in exploring the Red Planet. The orbiter continues to image the Martian surface, map its minerals, explore the atmospheric composition and circulation, probe beneath its crust, and study its environment.

The mission has provided a much more comprehensive and precise understanding of our neighbouring planet than ever before.