The north pole of Mars sits on a high plain known as the Planum Boreum. It’s covered all year round in a cap of water ice, but in the cold Martian winters an extra frosty blanket descends: solid carbon dioxide frozen out of the thin Martian atmosphere.
Above the pole, strong winds blow down and swirl, whipped around by the planet’s rotation, creating the spiral structure of the ice cap shown above.
The image is a perspective mosaic created from several images taken by the European Space Agency’s Mars Express, combined with elevation data from NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor.
Originally published by Cosmos as Greetings from the north pole of Mars
Cosmos
Curated content from the editorial staff at Cosmos Magazine.
Read science facts, not fiction...
There’s never been a more important time to explain the facts, cherish evidence-based knowledge and to showcase the latest scientific, technological and engineering breakthroughs. Cosmos is published by The Royal Institution of Australia, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science. Financial contributions, however big or small, help us provide access to trusted science information at a time when the world needs it most. Please support us by making a donation or purchasing a subscription today.
