Alexis Rodriguez from NASA's Heliophysics and Planetary Science Branch and his team have made a groundbreaking discovery on Mercury. They found potential salt glaciers, indicating the presence of volatile-rich environments similar to Earth's extreme habitats like the Atacama Desert. This finding significantly challenges the previous belief that Mercury was largely devoid of volatiles. These glaciers are thought to have formed from deep layers within Mercury's stratigraphy after a mega condensation event caused by the collapse of its primordial atmosphere. This discovery is significant for astrobiology, suggesting possible habitable zones under Mercury's surface and providing insights into life's potential on exoplanets similar to Mercury. Additionally, Rodriguez is researching the Moon, focusing on surface patterns to understand the effects of seismic activities on lunar regolith. This research is helpful for future seismic station deployment on the Moon by identifying areas of recent seismic activity.
