Scientists believe they may have spotted caves in images taken by Nasa’s Odyssey spacecraft which is in orbit around the red planet. Seven potential caves have been identified on the side of the Arsia Mons volcano with entrances varying in size between 100m and 252m wide. In one of the images the floor of the cave can be seen which scientists have calculated lies 30m below the surface.

The scientists involved were so excited with the find that they had to reaffirm their geekness by naming the newly discovered caves Dena, Chloe, Wendy, Annie, Abbey, Nicki and Jeanne (they also call them “the seven sisters”).

The caves may be the only natural structures capable of protecting primitive life forms from micrometeoroids, UV radiation, solar flares and high energy particles that bombard the planet’s surface.

I, for one, welcome our new Martian cave dwelling overlords.

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Filed under: astronomy, nasa, spaceflight