See Mars like never before in this amazing new photo from a 20-year-old probe

By Robert Lea published 2 days ago

Celebrate 20 years of the Mars Express spacecraft with this incredible view of the Red Planet.



In this simulated view of Mars with enhanced color and contrast, darker grey-toned areas of Mars represent grey-black basaltic sands of volcanic origin; lighter patches show clay and sulphate minerals; and the large scar across the planet's face is Valles Marineris. (Image credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin/G. Michael)


A stunning new image shows Mars in an entirely new light, revealing intricate details of the Martian surface.

The image was released to commemorate 20 years of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Mars Express spacecraft. Since the Mars Express entered orbit around Mars on Christmas Day 2003, the orbiter has been snapping images of the Martian surface from an altitude of around 186 miles (300 kilometers), the closest the spacecraft comes to the Red Planet. This results in images that are around 31 miles (50 kilometers) wide.

This new mosaic was created using a slightly different method, however, using data collected by the spacecraft's High-Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC). The mosaic was built from 90 images the HRSC snapped while its ride was higher above Mars in its elliptical orbit. From altitudes between 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) to 31,000 miles (50,000 kilometers) over the Martian surface, HRSC can capture images that are around 1,550 miles (2,500 kilometers) wide. While these high-altitude images are typically taken to help observe weather patterns over Mars, they can also provide a full global view that reveals unprecedented details of the planet when united.

Despite its infamous moniker, the new mosaic image of the Red Planet shows it in a multitude of colors, providing a far richer color view of the planet than ever before.

More:
https://www.space.com/mars-express-20th-anniversary-photo