1 of 8 NASA,NASA Mars,snowy dunes,stunning picture of dunes,Mars with snow,Mars with snow and ice on ridges
NASA has released a stunning picture of dunes on the surface of Mars with snow and ice on ridges. It was spring in the Northern hemisphere when this image was taken by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, NASA said. Credit: NASA
2 of 8 NASA,NASA Mars,snowy dunes,stunning picture of dunes,Mars with snow,Mars with snow and ice on ridges
Over the winter, snow and ice inexorably covered the dunes. Credit: NASA
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3 of 8 NASA,NASA Mars,snowy dunes,stunning picture of dunes,Mars with snow,Mars with snow and ice on ridges
But unlike on Earth, this snow and ice is carbon dioxide, better known to us as dry ice. Credit: NASA
4 of 8 NASA,NASA Mars,snowy dunes,stunning picture of dunes,Mars with snow,Mars with snow and ice on ridges
When the sun starts shining on it in the spring, the ice on the smooth surface of the dune cracks and escaping gas carries dark sand out from the dune below, often creating beautiful patterns. Credit: NASA
5 of 8 NASA,NASA Mars,snowy dunes,stunning picture of dunes,Mars with snow,Mars with snow and ice on ridges
On the rough surface between the dunes, frost is trapped behind small sheltered ridges. Credit: NASA
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The image was captured in May and NASA released it on Thursday. Credit: NASA
7 of 8 NASA,NASA Mars,snowy dunes,stunning picture of dunes,Mars with snow,Mars with snow and ice on ridges
NASA Mars probe captures stunning picture of snowy dunes. Credit: NASA
8 of 8 NASA,NASA Mars,snowy dunes,stunning picture of dunes,Mars with snow,Mars with snow and ice on ridges
NASA Mars probe captures stunning photo of snowy dunes. Credit: NASA