Nasa reveals stunning images of huge new impact crater on Mars

NASA has revealed a stunning new image of a Mars crater – and it has a hidden meaning.

On Saturday, Nasa’s Mars exploration program HiRISE shared as its “image of the day” a visual of an impact crater on the Red Planet.

A recently formed impact crater on Mars

The recently shared photo was taken on August 5, 2020, by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

In the image, the impact crater features hints of ice blue and white and stands out against the rest of Mars’ red surface.

Still, these hues are not indicative of the real colors at the site as HiRISE often uses camera filters to better showcase materials and textures.

What’s more, compared to a picture taken of the same site in 2018, this image reveals that the impact crater is new – a mere two to four years old.

Because the measurements of the impact crater are unknown at this point, the HiRISE team says that a follow-up image is essential.

Similarly, a follow-up photo could confirm if there are any small, bright areas that reveal ice, HiRISE researchers added.

Although the presence of ice is unlikely because the crater is located near Mars’ equator, Universe Today pointed out.

Previous studies have estimated that Mars gets hit, on average, by 200 space rocks a year, per Space.com.

These objects – asteroids, meteorites, and comets – are usually around 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) in diameter.

“It’s exciting to find these new craters right after they form,” study researcher Ingrid Daubar of the University of Arizona, Tucson, said in a statement.

“It reminds you Mars is an active planet, and we can study processes that are happening today.”

In 2019, HiRISE captured another stunning image of an impact crater.

That one measured a whopping 16 feet wide and resembled an impressionist painting.

“An impressionist painting? No, it’s a new impact crater that has appeared on the surface of Mars, formed at most between September 2016 and February 2019,” Nasa said.

“What makes this stand out is the darker material exposed beneath the reddish dust,” they added.