The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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These images, looking directly down on the Martian north pole, were created by assembling mosaics of three sets of images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in October 1996 and in January and March 1997. The maps begin at 50degN latitude and are oriented with 0deg longitude at the 12 o'clock position. The series captures the seasonal retreat of Mars' north polar cap.
October 1996 (early spring in the northern hemisphere) [Image Date: 20-05-97] [97.06.002-002]