Hundreds of 'spiders' have been spotted on Mars.
The 'spiders' on the surface of Mars (c) European Space Agency
Images from two European Space Agency (ESA) probes - the Mars Express and the Trace Gas Orbiter - show curious formations of 'araneiforms' with an arachnid-like shape on the Red Planet.
The name 'araneiforms' literally means 'shaped like a spider' in Latin, evoking memories of David Bowie's 1970s backing band The Spiders from Mars.
The 'spiders' form when spring sunshine falls on layers of frozen carbon dioxide (CO2) on the Martian soil.
Dr. Meg Schwamb, an astronomer at Queen's University Belfast, said: "The carbon dioxide jet process that forms 'spiders' is a completely un-Earthly phenomenon.
"The jet process is linked to the Martian seasons and is returning carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
"By studying these spiders and jets we're learning more about how Mars differs from Earth."
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