Gamboa Crater, Mars

© NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizon

Gamboa Crater, Mars

It would be pretty tough to live on Mars. It’s cold, dry, and the conditions are harsh. The planet’s average temperature is about - 63 degrees Celsius, but it can get as low as -152 at the poles. But with many canyons, extinct volcanoes, and ice caps, it’s beautiful to look at from afar. Most photos of the red planet highlight its rusty colour, caused by high levels of iron oxide.

This photo shows us Mars’ Gamboa Crater, but not with accurate colours. Scientists have recoloured the wavelengths that our eyes can’t see on their own. These added details let us see the effects of wind inside the crater, providing a perfect example of the spectacularly complex features of this planet.