Space Oddity

  • Released Thursday, July 16th, 2015
  • Updated Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 at 1:49PM
  • ID: 11914
Images taken by a NASA orbiter make Mars' alien landscape look even more alien.

Images taken by a NASA orbiter make Mars' alien landscape look even more alien.

We know that Mars is the Red Planet. But when observed with a heat-sensitive camera, its monochromatic landscape is transformed into a strange, multicolored world. The THEMIS instrument aboard NASA’s Mars Odyssey spacecraft has taken hundreds of thousands of images of Mars since it entered orbit around the planet in 2001. The instrument is able to capture portraits in visible and thermal infrared wavelengths, the latter of which our eyes are unable to see. Scientists colorize the infrared images to bring out similarities and differences in features on Mars’ surface. The images have been used to study the planet’s terrain, determine the chemical make up of its rocks and minerals, and help select the landing sites for future robotic missions. Explore the images to see infrared views of Mars taken by Mars Odyssey.

The Mars Odyssey spacecraft has taken nearly 400,000 images of Mars, approximately half of which were acquired using thermal infrared wavelengths.

The Mars Odyssey spacecraft has taken nearly 400,000 images of Mars, approximately half of which were acquired using thermal infrared wavelengths.

Scientists believe these openings on Mars' surface were carved by ancient lava flows. Colors indicate material of similar type.

Scientists believe these openings on Mars' surface were carved by ancient lava flows. Colors indicate material of similar type.

What look like groups of large islands are actually elevated landforms called mesas. Here, colors indicate material of similar temperature.

What look like groups of large islands are actually elevated landforms called mesas. Here, colors indicate material of similar temperature.

Images taken by Mars Odyssey have helped scientists create global maps that show the surface composition of Mars.

Images taken by Mars Odyssey have helped scientists create global maps that show the surface composition of Mars.

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Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Images courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona