Frost-covered dunes on the surface of Mars

© NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizon

Astronauts, grab your skis!. Frost-covered dunes on Mars

Mars, the fourth planet from the sun, is often referred to as the 'Red Planet' due to its rusty hue from the iron oxide-rich soil dust. The planet is dotted with frosty dunes, largely located in the high latitudes of the northern plains. Mars' atmosphere is composed of nearly 96% carbon dioxide, which is why carbon ice forms on the surface. These dunes showcase the dynamic interaction between Mars' thin atmosphere, its surface, and seasonal temperature changes.

As the Martian seasons change, the frost layer transforms directly from solid to gas as temperatures rise. The dunes then gradually lose their frosty appearance, and the cycle repeats with each cold season. Data collected from spacecraft and orbiters, like NASA's Phoenix spacecraft and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, has helped us to better understand these intriguing frost-covered formations.