Water frost discovered on Mars's Tharsis volcanoes

Morning frost has been discovered on Mars for the first time in a region previously thought to be impossible for water frost to exist. This surprising finding on the Tharsis volcanoes near the planet's equator reveals that water ice is more widespread on Mars than previously believed. The frost, thinner than a human hair, forms overnight on the summit craters and rims of the volcanoes during colder months and evaporates after sunrise. Despite its thinness, the frost covers a vast area, with an estimated 150,000 tonnes of water condensing daily on the mountains during frigid Martian seasons. This discovery marks the first observation of water frost on volcano summits and in the equatorial regions of Mars. The European Space Agency's Trace Gas Orbiter captured high-resolution images showing the bluish hue of the frost on the caldera floors of the Tharsis volcanoes. The presence of frost on these colossal Martian volcanoes challenges previous assumptions about the planet's climate and water distribution. Scientists believe that Martian winds may play a role in transporting moist air to the calderas where it condenses and settles as frost at specific times of the year. Understanding the water cycle on Mars is crucial for future exploration missions, especially those involving human presence, as water will be a vital resource.