Polar vortex 27 Sep 2007

Mars Express 07-270 18.58.03 VMC Img No 1.png

Vortex clouds – cloud systems being blown in a circle around the poles - have long been known on planets of the solar system, including Earth and Mars. Venus Express has confirmed a double vortex formation at Venus. This VMC images shows the circular pattern of clouds circling the Martian North Pole (which is just in the darkness). This gives a good impression of how powerful this vortex is.

Exposure time: 14ms