The European Space Agency (ESA) has unveiled striking images capturing a celestial phenomenon on the southern hemisphere of Mars, accompanied by traces of dust storms.Image of the celestial phenomenon on the surface of Mars.
Similar to those on Earth, dust storms on Mars form when pockets of warm air surge abruptly through columns of cold air, creating swirling air currents. However, these dust storms can tower up to 10 km in height. The swath left by a dust storm is visible in the dark region at the bottom left corner of the image. According to ESA, the celestial phenomenon is the result of an asteroid impact penetrating deep into the Martian crust, forming a crater revealing ancient sediment layers below. The “halo” surrounding the celestial phenomenon is the crater rim.
The ancient sediment layers appear dark red and are concentrated in the body as well as the heart-shaped structure below the right wing of the celestial phenomenon. Researchers are still uncertain about their composition. Dark-hued sediment layers are found across the Martian surface, likely resulting from volcanic activity and burial deep beneath the planet’s crust. Erosion, asteroid impacts, and swirling winds gradually bring these mysterious red scars to the surface.
The image was captured by ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft, which has been orbiting Mars since 2004. Structures near the Martian south pole are only observable seasonally. Typically, the entire region is blanketed by a vast ice cap spanning 400 km.
This remarkable image provides a glimpse into the dynamic and evolving landscape of Mars, shedding light on the planet’s geological history and the forces that shape its surface. As exploration missions continue to unravel the mysteries of the Red Planet, each discovery brings us one step closer to understanding the enigmatic world beyond our own.
