NASA has shared a unique image of the Martian surface with blue ripples all over it. The image reveals the secret behind the winds on the red planet.
On Monday, July 25, NASA shared a stunning image of Mars. It shows the surface of the red planet with dunes forming small hilltops. However, the top of the crest is covered with a blue tint, giving it the appearance of blue ripples moving across the dunes of Mars. The space agency revealed that the blue color did not naturally appear in the Mars photo. NASA says color was added by it. But it is not added as a fancy filter to make the image look eye-catching. There is an important scientific reason behind it. Scientists have studied wind movements on the red planet, and this photo explains in detail how the wind systems there work. Read on for the wind secrets revealed by this photo of Mars.
It should be noted that just a month ago, NASA Mars Rover report The dust carried by the swirling winds is known as the dust devil on Mars. An interesting finding is that such dust storms are not only large up to 4 square kilometers, but also occur several times a day. Now, expanding their knowledge of wind systems on the red planet, NASA researchers have decided to use these blue ripples to understand how the wind moves.
NASA shares image of Mars with blue ripples
The image was taken near the center of the Gamboa crater. It’s explained in parcel accompanying the image, “There are small ripples on the top of the dunes, just a few feet from peak to peak. These ripples merge into larger ripples about 30 feet apart radiating from the dunes. The larger, brighter nearly parallel formations are known as “Transverse Aeolian Rifts” (TAR). These TARs are covered with very coarse sand.”
TAR explains the wind characteristics of the planet. On the right side, the ripples appear in blue while on the left side it appears in bright blue. This happens because the wind is blowing faster on the left side of the image and the TAR appears in bright colors. To the right, the wind moves more slowly, giving it an ocean green hue.
“All these different features can tell which way the winds blow when they form. Being able to study diversity in such close proximity allows us to see their relationships and compare and contrast traits to see what they’re made of and how they form,” the post said. of NASA added.
