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Mosaic Image of Martian Surface Captured by Mars Express Orbiter
Arresting views of Mars taken from high above the planet’s surface by the Mars Express orbiter have been stitched into a mosaic image of the planet’s surface. Mars Express is a European Space Agency (ESA) spacecraft that launched for Mars in 2003.
ESA’s Mars Express: A Record-Breaking Orbiter
The orbiter has set records for data transmission and for being the first spacecraft to livestream from another world, besides its regularly-scheduled programming of imaging the remarkable features of the Martian surface from on high. Mars Express’ images help clarify what Mars looked like in its ancient past, from evidence of volcanic activity to signs that raging rivers once carved canyons on the planet’s surface.
Production of the Mosaic Image of Martian Surface
To produce the latest mosaic image, constructed from 90 images taken between 2,485 and 6,214 miles (4,000 and 10,000 kilometers) above the planet’s surface, ESA scientists color-referenced each image to a model, resulting in a more vivid mosaic. Though the orbiter has the ability to image in color, the opacity of the Martian atmosphere fluctuates, making it hard to pin down colors on the surface.
Basaltic Sands and Valles Marineris
The grays and bluish colors on the surface in the mosaic image are basaltic sands forged by Mars’ volcanic past. Sulphate deposits and haze cover the deep canyon of Valles Marineris, a system so large that if on Earth it would stretch from Sicily to the northern edge of Norway.
Design of the Mars Express Mission
The Mars Express mission was designed to last one Mars year, and it has lasted 10 times that. The mission is currently extended through 2026, and has orbited Mars over 24,000 times in its 20-year tenure. The new mosaic images are the latest, but certainly not the last views the orbiter will have of its adopted home. The orbiter usually images the Martian surface from much closer, but to produce such a sweeping mosaic of a swathe of Mars, the orbiter moved to higher altitudes. Its High Resolution Stereo Camera (HSRC) was used to capture the images taken during the 21,688th orbit.
Conclusion
The mosaic image of the Martian surface captured by Mars Express Orbiter is magnificent and gives us a glimpse into the planet’s history. The images taken by the orbiter have helped us understand the planet’s geology, including signs of volcanic activity and the presence of rivers that once existed on Mars. The mission has set records for data transmission and has extended its lifespan beyond the initial estimate. We can’t wait to see what else the Mars Express Orbiter will uncover about our neighboring planet.
FAQs
What is Mars Express?
Mars Express is a European Space Agency (ESA) spacecraft that launched for Mars in 2003. It has set records for data transmission and is the first spacecraft to livestream from another world, besides its regularly-scheduled programming of imaging the remarkable features of the Martian surface from on high.
What does the mosaic image of Mars reveal?
The mosaic image of Mars captured by Mars Express Orbiter helps clarify what Mars looked like in its ancient past, from evidence of volcanic activity to signs that raging rivers once carved canyons on the planet’s surface. The image portrays basaltic sands and sulphate deposits covering the deep canyon of Valles Marineris, stretching from Sicily to the northern edge of Norway.
How was the mosaic image of Mars created?
To produce the latest mosaic image, constructed from 90 images taken between 2,485 and 6,214 miles (4,000 and 10,000 kilometers) above the planet’s surface, ESA scientists color-referenced each image to a model, resulting in a more vivid mosaic.
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