NASA’s Martian explorer, MAVEN, has captured stunning images of Mars in ultraviolet light, revealing the changing seasons on the planet as it orbits around the Sun. The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission used its Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph instrument to snap global views of Mars in 2022 and 2023. Two of these images were released by NASA on Thursday, showcasing the southern and northern hemispheres of Mars in beautiful new shades.
The first image, taken in July 2022, shows Mars’ southern hemisphere during its summer season. Due to Mars’ longer orbit around the Sun compared to Earth, seasons on the red planet last about double the time. The image reveals one of Mars’ deepest craters, known as Argyre Basin, covered with an atmospheric haze in a pale pink shade. The deep canyons of Valles Marineris can be seen at the top left, while the shrinking southern polar ice cap appears in white at the bottom of the image.
MAVEN’s ultraviolet camera captures wavelengths outside the visible spectrum, measuring between 110 and 340 nanometers. To make the images visible to us, NASA renders them with the brightness levels of three ultraviolet wavelength ranges represented as red, green, and blue. Within this color scheme, atmospheric ozone appears purple, clouds and hazes appear white or blue, and the surface can appear tan or green.
The second image, captured in January 2023 when Mars was at its farthest point from the Sun, showcases the planet’s northern hemisphere during its harsh winter season. The image reveals a buildup of the planet’s ozone at the top, shown as a vibrant magenta color. This ozone is destroyed in the northern spring as it reacts with the water vapor in the planet’s atmosphere, which is restricted to lower altitudes during the winter.
MAVEN, launched in 2013, aims to study Mars’ upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and its interactions with the Sun to understand how the planet lost its atmosphere millions of years ago. Viewing Mars in ultraviolet light provides a new perspective on the planet, even altering its signature red hue in these wavelengths.
These new images of Mars have captivated astronomers and space enthusiasts alike, showcasing the beauty and complexity of our neighboring planet. As MAVEN continues its mission, scientists hope to gain further insights into the mysteries of Mars and its ever-changing seasons.
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How does the presence of carbon dioxide ice clouds contribute to the striking color observed in the southern hemisphere of Mars
Et last about twice as long. In this image, the southern hemisphere appears to be bathed in a vibrant pinkish hue. This color is a result of the presence of carbon dioxide ice clouds, which are most prominent during the planet’s colder seasons. These clouds scatter the sunlight in a way that produces this striking color.
The second image, captured in February 2023, portrays Mars’ northern hemisphere during its winter season. In this view, the northern polar region of the planet is covered in a bright white blanket of frozen carbon dioxide, commonly known as dry ice. This frozen layer extends across the polar cap, creating a stark contrast against the darker regions of the planet.
These images offer a unique insight into the changing seasons on Mars, highlighting the planet’s dynamic and ever-evolving atmosphere. MAVEN’s ultraviolet observations provide valuable data for studying the behavior and composition of the Martian atmosphere, shedding light on its interactions with the Sun and its ongoing processes of atmospheric escape.
Understanding Mars’ atmosphere is crucial for unraveling the planet’s past climate history and determining its potential for supporting life. MAVEN’s mission aims to investigate how Mars lost its ancient atmosphere and what impact this loss had on the planet’s habitability over time. By studying the planet’s seasons and atmospheric dynamics, scientists can gain a deeper understanding of the underlying processes shaping Mars’ climate and geology.
The MAVEN spacecraft, launched in 2013, has been orbiting Mars since 2014, collecting valuable data about the planet’s atmosphere. Its Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph instrument allows scientists to study the composition and behavior of Mars’ upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and the interactions with the solar wind.
These stunning ultraviolet images of Mars serve as a reminder of the beauty and complexity of our neighboring planet. They not only offer breathtaking views but also provide scientists with valuable insights that contribute to our understanding of Mars’ past, present, and future. As MAVEN continues to explore and capture images of Mars, we can look forward to further revelations about this enigmatic world.
These mesmerizing images from MAVEN showcase the beauty and wonders of Mars, capturing the ever-changing seasons of this mysterious red planet. Truly breathtaking!