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.
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This image from ESA’s Mars Express shows the Acheron Fossae region of Mars. This region shows many signs of past activity, from trough-like ditches and steep cliffs to smooth plains and tall domes formed by volcanism.
We've added labels to highlight features and regions of note. Be sure to click on these labels to explore the landscape in detail!
This image comprises data gathered by Mars Express’s High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on 28 October 2024 (orbit 26287). 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. North is to the right. The ground resolution is approximately 17 m/pixel and the image is centred at about 36°N/230°E.
ALT-text: The Acheron Fossae region of Mars, as viewed by ESA’s Mars Express
Image description: The image shows a patch of Mars that is broadly tan in colour and covered in geological features. These are labelled by six numerical markers to give additional context. Most prominently, a system of deep grooves begins in the right half of the image and radiates outwards, extending out of frame. A smoother, irregularly shaped patch of ground can be seen in the middle third of the image, while further ridges and ditches – more gentle than those to the right – are again visible in the left third, along with a few scattered circular impact craters.