NASA's Odyssey Orbiter Captures Unprecedented Image Of Martian Horizon

NASA's Odyssey orbiter recently shared a new image of the Martian horizon, unveiling what astronauts on Mars might see someday. The image was snapped by Odyssey orbiter from an altitude of 400 kilometres (250 miles) that's similar to the average altitude of the International Space Station (ISS) at Earth.

The picture wasn't a one-off affair and was taken after months of co-ordination. Scientists say that this image will allow them to compare Mars to Earth by assessing similar pictures taken from the ISS.

NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

"If there were astronauts in orbit over Mars, this is the perspective they would have," said astronomer Jonathon Hill of Arizona State University. "No Mars spacecraft has ever had this kind of view before."

How was the image clicked?

The image was taken using Odyssey's Thermal Emission Imaging System, or THEMIS. It took long to co-ordinate because THEMIS is located in a fixed position on the orbiter. It points directly down at Mars from the spacecraft's belly.

THEMIS is used to map the Martian surface. To observe Mars' horizon, scientists on Earth sent commands to physically tilt the entire Odyssey orbiter by 90 degrees. This way, they managed to point THEMIS at the direction of the rim of the horizon.

Also read: NASA Successfully Produces Oxygen On Mars, Paving Way For Human Exploration

The spacecraft had to be kept that away for an entire orbit so that THEMIS had enough time to take 10 images that were put together to create the panorama. In the image, you can view the dry surface of Mars. Above it, you can notice the Martian atmosphere.

What can the camera do?

THEMIS is a thermal camera, which means that it can reveal the temperature of its subjects that can help study the clouds.

When it was pointed towards the horizon, THEMIS also snapped Mars' potato-shaped moon Phobos.

Phobos - NASA/JPL-Caltech

Also read: Mars' History Reveals Possible Habitable Conditions, Cycle Of Wet And Dry Seasons

With Odyssey's capabilities now on full display, researchers hope to use it to take more images of the Martian horizon during different times of the year.

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