A new global map of Mars offers a fresh perspective on the planet.
The map, released earlier this month, was compiled from 3,000 images taken by the UAE spacecraft, and it shows the red planet in its true light.
“These are normal colors on Mars,” said Dimitra Atre, a researcher at the Space Science Center at New York University Abu Dhabi.
The primary science goal for Hope, which entered orbit around Mars just over two years ago, is to study how dust storms and other atmospheric conditions near the surface affect the rate of Martian air leaking into space.
But the orbiter also carries a camera.
When Dr. Atree saw the first image Hope had returned, he said, “I was blown away by the quality of the image, which shows the entire disc.” “I’ve never seen a Mars like this before.”
