SMRTR Science & EngineeringDec 16, 2025Live Science

City-size 'cosmic butterfly' carved into Mars' surface contains traces of ancient water

SMRTR summary

Scientists discovered a city-sized butterfly-shaped impact crater on Mars, measuring 12.4 miles across, formed when an asteroid struck at an unusually shallow angle millions of years ago. The crater's smooth wings show signs of ancient water interaction, suggesting buried Martian ice melted during the impact and mixed with ejected debris.

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