NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter has added a stunning new picture from Mars, shooting the large Arsia Mons volcano piercing via a dense layer of early morning clouds.
The landscape, taken on May 2, marks the first time one of the planet's huge volcanoes has been imaged on the Martian horizon—a view paying homage to how astronauts see Earth's mountains from the international Space Station.
Arsia Mons, the southernmost of the Tharsis Montes trio, stands at an awe-inspiring 12 miles (20 kilometers) in height, dwarfing Earth's tallest volcano, Mauna Loa, which rises 6 miles (9 kilometers) above the seafloor.
Arsia Mons, an ancient Martian volcano, was captured before sunrise on May 2, 2025, by way of NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter.
The volcano's summit becomes visible, poking above a cover of water ice clouds, a phenomenon common within the vicinity throughout Mars' aphelion, whilst the planet is farthest from the sun. This era creates the "aphelion cloud belt," a putting band of clouds that paperwork across the Martian equator and is prominently displayed in Odyssey's new photo.
The Odyssey spacecraft, released in 2001, is the longest-strolling venture orbiting another planet. To seize this unique photo, the orbiter circled 90 ranges, allowing its Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS)—a wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital camera designed to have a look at the Martian surface—to picture the horizon as an alternative.
This modern angle enables scientists to have a look at layers of dirt and water ice clouds, in addition to seasonal modifications within the Martian environment.
Arsia Mons is the southernmost of the 3 volcanoes that make up Tharsis Montes, proven in the center of this cropped topographic map of Mars.
"We are seeing some definitely large seasonal differences in these horizon images," said Michael D. Smith, planetary scientist at NASA's Goddard Area Flight Center. "It is giving us new clues to how Mars' environment evolves through the years."
Knowledge of those clouds is crucial for predicting Martian climate and making ready for destiny missions, which include safe landings. Arsia Mons itself isn't the best geological surprise—measuring 270 miles (450 kilometers) in diameter—however, it is additionally a key to information about Mars' atmospheric dynamics.
Jonathon Hill, operations lead for Odyssey's THEMIS camera, summed up the excitement: "We picked Arsia Mons hoping we'd see the summit poke above the early morning clouds. And it failed to disappoint."
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