Martian atmosphere, moon Phobos, and largest volcano – all captured in this incredible photo

ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft continues to amaze with its breathtaking views of the Red Planet. A recent image captures a fascinating array of Martian features, showcasing the Mars moon Phobos, the colossal volcano Olympus Mons, and a delicate wisp of high-altitude clouds in Mars’s atmosphere along the planet’s edge.

The image was taken on July 13, 2024 and processed by Andrea Luck. Phobos, the larger of Mars’ two moons, is prominently featured in the foreground. This lumpy satellite, believed to be a captured asteroid, is slowly spiraling closer to Mars and is destined to either crash into the planet or be torn apart, forming a ring.

In the background, the massive volcano Olympus Mons dominates the scene. This colossal structure, the largest volcano in our solar system, stands tall at a height of about 27 kilometers (17 miles). Despite being dormant for millions of years, Olympus Mons remains a testament to Mars’ volcanic past. Adding to the image’s dramatic appeal is a thin wisp of high-altitude clouds visible along the planet’s limb. These clouds, composed primarily of water ice, offer a glimpse into Mars’ atmosphere.

“Phobos is stitched from the 3 filters in its natural position based on the blue filter, as it moved during the exposures,” Andrea writes. “The original image has been undistorted and enlarged to create a more natural appearance.”

As Mars Express continues its mission, I believe we can all look forward to seeing even more stunning images that reveal the secrets of the Red Planet. Although sometimes, great photos are taken from the Earth, too – check this one out!

[via EarthSky; credits: Image processing by Andrea Luck, CC BY 2.0; raw data: ESA/DLR/FUBerlin]

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