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NASA's Mars Odyssey Orbiter Captures Unique Panoramic Images of Mars and Phobos

The images, taken from the same altitude as the International Space Station, offer a perspective similar to what astronauts would see and will aid in improving models of Mars' atmosphere.

  • NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter has captured stunning panoramic images of Mars and its moon Phobos, offering fresh insights into the Martian landscape and atmosphere.
  • The images were taken from an altitude of about 250 miles, the same altitude at which the International Space Station orbits Earth, providing a unique perspective similar to what astronauts would see.
  • The images were captured by the orbiter's Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), which required the spacecraft to be rotated almost 90 degrees to achieve the desired view.
  • The imagery will help scientists improve models of Mars' atmosphere and provide insight into the composition and physical properties of Phobos.
  • NASA plans to take similar images in the future to capture the Martian atmosphere across different seasons.
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