190126main_cave4330NASA says its Mars Odyssey spacecraft has spotted seven possible cave entrances on Mars. These dark features, several hundred feet across, have a more constant temperature from day to night than the ground surrounding them (as shown in the infrared images at center and right). If the "Seven Sisters" holes turn out to be caves, it's possible they could provide a protected niche for past or present life on Mars—or serve as underground shelters for future human colonization.—Dawn Stover

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/USGS

3 Comments

It's amazing how one unique discovery can possibly bring us closer to the past and the future simultaneously!

>DJ

perfect.

With the fear of wind, radiation and meteors, the cave would appear to be the perferred place to set up shop -

I can't recall any cave being destroyed by a tornado or hole in the roof caused by a meteor - also constant temperature would reduce heating and cooling requirements -
Australians have built underground developments. Humm!!



Download Our iPhone App

Stay up to date on the latest news of the future of science and technology from your iPhone with full articles, images and offline viewing



Follow Us On Twitter

Featuring every article from the magazine and website, plus links from around the Web. Also see our PopSci DIY feed



Become a Fan On Facebook

Share links with friends, comment on stories and more


December 2009: Best of What's New

In our December issue, Popular Science names the 100 best innovations of the year: bombproof wallpaper, self-parking cars, the fastest helicopter, and 97 more. Plus inventor profiles and videos.

Check out the best of what's new here.

Popular Science Photo Pool


Share your photos in the Pop Sci pool at www.flickr.com!
tags_sprite.png
POP_embeddedForm_cover_May09.jpg