Think Mars is all red? Think again! (NASA/JPL/UArizona)
On Thursday, we talked about how over 12,000 American citizens applied to become NASA astronauts. When we look at our feature image for today, it's easy to see why they're interested.
This is Valles Marineris on Mars. It is a series of Martian canyons that run along the planet's equator. And it is beautiful.
Just look at it!
Thank you, HiRISE
Is this Jupiter? Nope, it's another view of incredible Martian canyons. (NASA/JPL/UArizona)
The image was captured by the High Resolution Imaging Experiment camera, or HiRISE, a device that is attached to the Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter.
This isn't the first time that we've featured images from HiRISE. Or even the second. And it certainly won't be the last. So far, many of these images have challenged our understanding of Mars as an essentially monochromatic (or one-coloured) landscape.
Of course, when we do send humans to Mars (yes, we said when!) it's hard to say where exactly they'll end up. Humans may visit an area that is quite as stunning to look at. But regardless, when we see a photo like this, it's hard not to feel jealous of the adventure that's in store for a few lucky astronauts someday.
Here's looking at you, Mars!
that is SO COOL I wanna go there!!!