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Look: Here's the best place for humans to live on Mars

by Jennifer Walter
NASA/JPL-Caltech

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If space moguls like Elon Musk have their way, the red planet could one day be home to millions of people.

NASA via Giphy

But where’s the best place to build a civilization on dry, dusty Mars?

USGS

One of the top contenders is a region called Arcadia Planitia.

It’s located in northern Mars, to the west of the planet’s massive volcanic plateau, Tharsis (in red).

Bryn Hubbard via ResearchGate

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In a recent study, researchers found further evidence the region has high concentrations of ice lurking just below the surface.

“Evidence for large volumes of near-surface ice occur in and near flat-lying regions in the lower mid-latitudes of Mars, making Arcadia Planitia potentially favorable for future in situ resource utilization.”

A finding published in the journal Icarus.

Wikimedia Commons

Giphy

It’s a sign that the area could be the perfect place for future Mars residents to harvest water.

ESA

In 2019, NASA called the region “the most tempting target” for a Mars landing site in the northern hemisphere.

The northerly located, boxed-in region on this map of Mars shows NASA’s ideal landing spot for astronauts. The deep purple indicates water close to the surface.

NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

Cheddar via Giphy

And in 2017, SpaceX officials indicated that Arcadia Planitia was a top spot for a future mission.

NASA/JPL-Caltech

So, northern Mars might hold promise for a future human civilization.

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself relocating there one day.

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