An 82 kilometre-wide crater on Mars that may be topped with snow has been photographed by the ESA’s (European Space Agency) Mars Express.
The stunning untrodden snow scene comes as the mission prepares to celebrate 15-years since it entered the Red Planet’s orbit on Christmas Day.
Korolev, as the crater is known, is thought to be 1.8 kilometres deep, filled with around 2,200 cubic kilometres of ice.
A beautiful #winter wonderland… on #Mars! This ice-filled crater was imaged by our Mars Express spacecraft. Korolev crater is 82 kilometres across and found in the northern lowlands of Mars.More images: https://t.co/48Czjh80Qb pic.twitter.com/5KDQ1PJ0jt
— ESA (@esa) December 20, 2018
The Mars Express was launched on June 2, 2003, before reaching the planet six months later on December 25.
“This image shows what appears to be a large patch of fresh, untrodden snow – a dream for any lover of the holiday season,” the ESA said.
“However, it’s a little too distant for a last-minute winter getaway.”
Five different “strips” were taken by the Mars Express High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) and combined to form a single image, the agency explained.
The Mars Express was recently joined by American space agency Nasa’s new InSight probe, which aims to shine new light on how the Red Planet was formed and its deep structure, by mapping its core, crust and mantle.
