China’s space program is gearing up for a big year, not just with its first Martian probe, but also the anticipated construction of a large new space station.
China’s first probe dispatched to Mars, Tianwen-1, has sent back its first photos from high above the planet, including a stunning color image of its north pole.
According to Global Times, the high-definition images were taken at an altitude of 330-350 kilometers above the surface and show an incredible amount of detail, down to 0.7 meters. CNSA said the larger crater is about 620 meters wide.
A high-definition panchromatic photo of the Martian surface taken by Tianwen-1, China’s first Mars probe
A panchromatic image of craters on the surface of Mars taken by Tianwen-1, China’s first Mars probe. Detail in the high-definition image is down to 0.7 meters.
Another photo snapped with a different camera shows Mars’ north pole in stunning color. What appear to be cloud swirls are actually ice deposits atop sand dunes buffeted by strong winds.
A color photo of Mars’ north pole taken by Tianwen-1, China’s first Mars probe
Tianwen-1’s photos come after NASA’s surface rover, Perseverance, sent back a video of its descent followed by photos and sound recordings from the surface. The two spacecraft arrived in the Martian system just days apart and were joined by the United Arab Emirates’ Hope orbiter, also that country’s first.
Tianwen-1’s mission includes study of Mars’ morphology and geological structure, as well as its magnetic field, ionosphere and atmosphere more generally.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
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