CPOD 8.7.12: Mars From The Hubble Space Telescope

When I started CPOD I wanted to stick to images from amateur astronomers and astrophotographers, but in light of the recent Mars Curiosity news and all the excitement that comes with it; I found it only fitting to use this crystal clear image of the Red Plantet taken by the Hubble Space Telescope.

This image was obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995 as part of an observing program to monitor seasonal changes in the atmosphere and surface of Mars. The prominent dark feature in the center of the image is called Syrtis Major. The differences in color, which are exaggerated in this computer-enhanced image, are thought to be caused by differences in the deposits of dust and sand covering different regions. Features as small as 50 kilometers are seen in this image. The white region at the top of the image is the north polar cap. On the right, white clouds cover the Elysium volcanos.

(via LPI)