New Mars Express image celebrates 25 000 orbits

This image from ESA’s Mars Express shows a slice of Mars imaged to mark a milestone for ESA’s Mars Express: its 25 000th orbit around the Red Planet. The stunning view shows volcanoes, valleys, craters, clouds, and even a flying visit from Mars's largest moon, Phobos.

Be sure to zoom in to explore the landscape in detail!

This image comprises data gathered by Mars Express’s High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on 19 October 2023 during orbit 25 000. It was created using data from the nadir channel, the field of view aligned perpendicular to the surface of Mars, and the colour channels of the HRSC. The ground resolution is <450 m/pixel and the image is centred at about 2°N/248°E.

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Labelled image

[Image description: This image shows a large, tan-coloured slice of Mars, with the curvature of the planet visible at the top and bottom of the frame. Cutting diagonally right to left across the centre of the planet like a belt are three darker raised patches (volcanoes). Many other features are visible across the frame, including scarred terrain, clouds, and the moon Phobos, which can be seen as a dark, irregular blob to the lower left.]