Mars never ceases to amaze us! NASA’s Curiosity rover has captured stunning images of colorful clouds drifting across the Red Planet’s sky. These clouds, known as “noctilucent” or twilight clouds, only appear when the sun begins to set.
Icy Clouds in the Martian Sky
These clouds aren’t like the ones we see on Earth. They are made of frozen carbon dioxide (or dry ice) in Mars’ atmosphere, which is over 95% carbon dioxide. In the images taken on January 17, 2025, the clouds appear red and green due to scattered sunlight. Sometimes, they even create a rainbow effect, similar to Earth’s “mother-of-pearl clouds.”
The Mystery of Martian Clouds
Although these clouds have been observed multiple times, they remain a mystery for scientists. They only appear in certain locations on Mars, like Gale Crater, where Curiosity is currently exploring. Meanwhile, other rovers, such as Perseverance in the northern hemisphere, have yet to see similar clouds.
One theory suggests that atmospheric gravity waves on Mars might be responsible for these clouds. These waves could be cooling the air at certain altitudes, allowing carbon dioxide to freeze into ice.
Curiosity’s Advanced Camera
Curiosity captured these images using its Mastcam. Despite a minor issue with one of its filters, the rover continues to take clear and detailed images. Mastcam also helps NASA’s team study the composition and structure of Martian clouds in greater detail.
What’s Next?
Right now, Curiosity is heading to a new research site called “boxwork,” an area with unique fracture patterns believed to have formed due to underground water in the past. This discovery could help scientists understand Mars’ geological history and search for signs of ancient life.
These stunning colorful clouds add to the long list of fascinating phenomena on Mars. Who knows—maybe one day, humans will witness them firsthand from a colony on the Red Planet!