Mars: NASA’s rover is imaging a fascinating phenomenon

NASA’s Curiosity rover is currently observing clouds on Mars. In doing so, he photographed a previously unobserved phenomenon.

BOULDER – NASA’s rover has been searching for more than ten years “curiousity” the Mars, but he had never captured such an image before: On February 2, 2023, the Sun lit up a bank of clouds as it set on the Red Planet and Curiosity imaged the resulting effect. So-called “cloud rays” can be seen. The clouds block direct sunlight, but the sun’s rays are visible at the edge.

Like the US space agency NASA Reports indicate that this is the first time that cloud rays have been clearly seen on Mars. Curiosity captured this phenomenon as part of a new study. The rover has been observing clouds at dusk since January. The monitoring campaign will continue until mid-March.

NASA’s Curiosity rover takes an unusual picture of the surface of Mars

Colors can be seen in cloud rays, and the clouds seem to shine reddish and bluish. Another image, taken by Curiosity on January 27, 2023, shows a feather-shaped cloud. The cloud of unusual shape is illuminated by the sun’s rays, which has a bewitching effect: the cloud glows with rainbow colors.

“When we see iridescence, it means the cloud’s particle sizes are identical to those of their neighbors in every part of the cloud,” explains Mark Lemon, an atmospheric scientist at the Space Science Institute in Boulder. “If we look at color transitions, we see that particle size changes in the cloud. This tells us how the cloud evolves and how particle size changes over time.”

The clouds on Mars reveal a lot about the planet

Curiosity captured both shots, both cloud rays and sparkling feathers, as panoramas. Each image was combined from 28 exposures and adjusted to bring out colors clearly, according to NASA. Just a few months ago it was a NASA rover “perseverance” Also one The wonderful image succeeded in interacting with the sun.