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11 Aug, 2016 20:44

Mars opposition: 10 stunning images that reveal diverse textures of red planet’s surface (PHOTOS)

Mars opposition: 10 stunning images that reveal diverse textures of red planet’s surface (PHOTOS)

NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has been astounding astronomy lovers with high resolution images of the Red Planet since it began circling the planet in 2005 but its latest batch of more than 1000 images taken during “opposition” are particularly spectacular.

The massive collection of satellite images taken by the onboard HiRISE camera were beamed back by the MRO showcasing the latest examples of Mars’ diverse topography.

The photos snapped in May during “Mars opposition”  - when the Sun and Mars are on directly opposite sides of earth, also capture the red planet in some unique lighting.

Communications between Mars and Earth were also improved thanks to the “opposition”, enabling the easy transmission of a vast quantity of data,

This information is pivotal for NASA in determining possible landing sites for future exploration missions notably the NASA rover due to launch in 2020.

Here is just a taster of ten of the most incredible painting like snaps of Mars' stunning textures and colours.

Dune Field with Bright Fans 

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Atlantis Chaos  

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Terrain Near Peneus Patera 

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Small Tributary Deposit and Transverse Aeolian Ridges in Nirgal Vallis 

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Gullies in Dunes Dubbed Kolhar 

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Candidate Landing Site for 2020 Mission in Kashira Crater 

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Crater Northeast of Hellas Planitia with Phyllosilicates 

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Possible Phyllosilicates in Ejecta of Small Crater in Tyrrhena Terra 

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Northern Plains Terrain Sample 

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Southern Highland Valleys 

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The full collection can be viewed on the HiRISE website.

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