
NASA's Mars Orbiter Reveals Stunning View of Ancient Volcano Above the Clouds
2025-06-09
Author: Ying
A Majestic Sight from Mars
NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter has unveiled a breathtaking panorama of Arsia Mons, the largest volcano on Mars, breaking through a sea of clouds. This rare and mesmerizing view not only showcases the grandeur of the volcano but also beautifully captures the planet's horizon.
Capturing the Moment
Jonathon Hill, the operations lead for Odyssey's camera based at Arizona State University's Mars Space Flight Facility, expressed excitement about the mission. "We picked Arsia Mons hoping for a glimpse of the summit above the early morning clouds, and it didn’t disappoint!" The Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) aboard the orbiter can observe Mars in both visible and infrared light, resulting in stunning imagery.
Decades of Exploration
Having orbited Mars for over 20 years, Odyssey has transitioned into a new phase in 2023, capturing panoramic views of the Martian landscape. To achieve these magnificent shots, the orbiter pivots sideways, rotating 90 degrees, as THEMIS cannot adjust its aim. This maneuver has produced its fourth limb observation this year.
A Colossal Volcano
On May 2, Odyssey recorded the image of Arsia Mons, which towers an impressive 12 miles (20 kilometers) into the Martian sky and spans 70 miles (450 kilometers) in diameter. For perspective, Earth's tallest volcano, Mauna Loa, reaches only 6 miles (9 kilometers) above sea level with a diameter of 75 miles (121 kilometers).
Weathering the Atmosphere
Notably, Arsia Mons is among the cloudiest volcanoes on Mars and is the southernmost of the three Tharsis volcanoes, part of the Tharsis Montes mountain range. These incredible mountains often find themselves enveloped in water ice clouds, especially during the early morning hours, as the atmospheric dynamics cause air to rise and cool rapidly as it flows over the volcanic peaks.