All articles tagged with #hirise
A cropped Mars image that seemed to show a perfect square sparked viral speculation about artificial structures, but HiRISE's higher-resolution view reveals irregular terrain and lighting create the illusion, a classic case of pareidolia and the importance of context in planetary images.
HiRISE images of Mars’ northern ice cap at Chasma Boreale show springtime ice melt and crescent dunes that reveal wind patterns across the Martian surface, highlighting seasonal changes on the red planet.
A pyramid‑like feature in Mars’ Candor Chasma known as the Candor Tetrahedron drew attention for resembling an ancient monument, but high‑resolution HiRISE imagery shows it’s a natural wind‑ and water‑eroded hill among other rock forms. The three sides aren’t identical, and the surrounding landscape, including positive relief knobs and aeolian ripples, supports a geological explanation rather than artificial construction. The shape is a classic case of pareidolia in planetary geology.
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's HiRISE camera captured its 100,000th image of Mars, showcasing the planet's dynamic surface and involving public participation in selecting imaging targets, with the latest photo depicting the windblown dunes of Syrtis Major.
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has captured its 100,000th image of Mars using the HiRISE camera, aiding scientists in studying the planet's surface changes and preparing for future human missions, with the orbiter operating for over 20 years since 2006.
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured a striking image of a recent impact crater on Mars, revealing a dramatic blast zone and ejecta pattern, providing valuable insights into Martian surface changes and impact frequency.
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has taken its 100,000th high-resolution image of Mars using the HiRISE camera, providing valuable data on Martian surface features and aiding future exploration efforts. The milestone image shows mesas and dunes in Syrtis Major, and the project involves public participation and educational outreach.
Avi Loeb urges NASA to release 40-day-old HiRISE images of the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, emphasizing the importance of scientific transparency and data sharing in understanding whether the object is a natural comet or an extraterrestrial technological artifact, amid ongoing debates and upcoming observations.
On October 3, 2025, the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS passed within 29 million kilometers of Mars, with the CNSA's Tianwen-1 orbiter capturing fuzzy images of its nucleus and surrounding coma, while higher-resolution images from NASA's HiRISE are awaited.
Avi Loeb requests NASA to release valuable HiRISE images of interstellar object 3I/ATLAS near Mars, delayed due to government shutdown, highlighting the importance of timely scientific data dissemination and addressing conspiracy theories.
A deep pit on Mars, captured by NASA's HiRISE camera, has intrigued scientists due to its potential as a shelter for future manned missions. The pit, formed by volcanic activity, could lead to underground caverns, which are essential for protection against radiation and dust storms. This discovery could significantly aid in planning future Mars missions.
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has captured an image of a nearly perfectly circular pit on Mars, intriguing scientists about its formation and potential as a shelter for future astronauts. The pit, located near the Arsia Mons volcano, may lead to a network of lava tubes, which could offer protection from cosmic radiation and dust storms. However, current Martian rovers lack the capability to explore these underground formations, and further research is needed to determine their viability for human habitation.
The High-Resolution Imaging and Spectroscopy of Exoplanets (HiRISE) instrument has been installed on the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT), enhancing its imaging capabilities for exoplanet research. HiRISE combines the SPHERE imager with the upgraded CRIRES spectrograph, allowing for high-resolution spectroscopy and the characterization of exoplanet atmospheres. This cost-effective upgrade will aid in the study of exoplanet formation, composition, and evolution, and may serve as a pathfinder for future instruments on the Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs).
Images taken by the NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) show evidence of glacial activity on Mars, suggesting that the planet experienced periods of cooling and warming similar to Earth. The images reveal linear ridges, exposed rocky debris, and infilling inside craters and valleys, indicating the movement of a retreating glacier. These features provide insight into Mars' dynamic climate and its transition from a warmer, wetter environment to the cold and desiccated planet we see today. The preservation of these features offers valuable evidence of Mars' past and its potential for supporting life.
Images taken by the NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) reveal evidence of glacial activity on Mars, suggesting that the planet experienced glacial and interglacial periods in its past. These features, resembling landforms shaped by ice flows on Earth, can be found in non-polar regions across Mars. The images show linear ridges, exposed rocky debris, and infilling inside craters and valleys, indicating the movement of a retreating glacier. These findings provide insights into Mars' dynamic climate and its transition from a warmer, wetter environment to the cold and desiccated planet we see today.