Perseverance checks in from Mars with a selfie, the mounting pollution from satellite launches, and more science stories
NASA's Perseverance rover has taken its sixth selfie on Mars while exploring the Jezero Crater region. Meanwhile, researchers have raised concerns about the pollution caused by satellite megaconstellations, which could have significant climate effects. The increase in satellite launches is expected to contribute to atmospheric soot, potentially impacting sunlight and climate patterns.
- ▪Perseverance recently ventured west of Mars' Jezero Crater, capturing a selfie in a region called 'Lac de Charmes'.
- ▪The rover is currently studying rocky outcrops in the Arbot area and plans to move to a site called 'Gardevarri'.
- ▪A study found that satellite megaconstellation launches could produce 870 metric tons of soot annually by 2029, affecting Earth's atmosphere.
- ▪Pollution from these launches may lead to mild cooling effects on Earth's climate, but researchers caution about potential unintended consequences.
- ▪Megaconstellation launches accounted for about 35 percent of the space sector's climate impact in 2020.
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Tomorrow Science Perseverance checks in from Mars with a selfie, the mounting pollution from satellite launches, and more science stories By Cheyenne MacDonald May 16, 2026 12:00 pm EST NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS NASA's Perseverance rover took its sixth ever selfie from the red planet during a recent excursion west of Mars' Jezero Crater. And, researchers studying the pollution from satellite megaconstellations found the soot from these launches may have some concerning climate effects. Read on for more on those stories, and other science news we found interesting this week.
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