“Mapping Mars through Photography: Collating “Probe of Hope” Data”

New York University Abu Dhabi announced that a team led by astronomer and researcher at the University’s Space Science Center, Dr. Dimitra Atri, has mapped Mars using exclusive images taken by the Digital Exploration Camera (EXI).

The camera is an advanced imaging system, within the framework of the Emirates Mars Exploration Project, the “Probe of Hope”, which is currently orbiting the Red Planet.

The photographic map displays completely new images of Mars, which represents the best evidence of the tremendous progress achieved by the UAE in the field of science, and constitutes a great incentive to attract Emirati youth to careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the country.

The map is the fruit of more than 3,000 observations from the digital exploration camera installed on board the “probe”, where the team created the colored map, by collecting thousands of images over the course of one Martian year, equivalent to two Earthly years.

The map shows regions and features of Mars that highlight its main terrain with exceptional accuracy, including polar ice caps, mountains, volcanoes, dry river remains, lakes, valleys and meteor impact craters.

Dimitra Atri said: “We intend to make the map accessible to everyone around the world, as part of a newer and more advanced version of the (Mars Atlas), which we plan to publish in Arabic and English, and we hope that this will give researchers and students a useful tool to deepen their knowledge about Mars, which confirms The potential of the space sector in the country ».

He added: «The Mars map, when completed, represents an additional step in the context of achieving the goal of the Emirates Mars Exploration Project, in providing a comprehensive visualization of the planet’s climate, and more than 30 spacecraft were able to provide a glimpse of the Martian climate, but the (Probe of Hope) mission includes tracking seasonal changes. Throughout the Martian year, the (probe) helps global researchers to create these comprehensive images of the planet thanks to its strategic location, as it revolves around the planet in an elliptical path that allows it to be monitored from a much greater distance compared to other vehicles, which provides researchers with comprehensive images of the planet.

• The team created the color map, by collecting thousands of images over the course of one sol year.

• The map is an additional step in the context of achieving the goal of the Emirates Mars Exploration Project.