Ice Clouds over Mars
Explanation:
Mars
has clouds too. The
above true color image taken in August by
Mars Pathfinder
shows clouds of ice high in the
Martian atmosphere. Unlike
Earth's atmosphere which is composed predominantly of
nitrogen
and
oxygen, Mars' atmosphere is composed mostly of
carbon dioxide. Nevertheless, a trace amount of
water
does freeze into
visible clouds
at night, which become particularly apparent during the day by reflection of sunlight.
Contact was lost with
Mars Pathfinder
last Sunday but re-established later in the week.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
