Recent images from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Mars Express orbiter reveal a striking crater on Mars, shaped like a butterfly. This unique crater is about 12 miles wide and 9 miles tall. Its distinctive wings fan outwards, creating a beautiful symmetry that grabs attention.
This fascinating view was made possible by using data from the orbiter’s High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC). ESA has even created a video showing the crater and its “wings” in detail. You can learn more about it in ESA’s statement.
What makes this crater special? Typically, when a meteor crashes into a planet, debris is scattered in all directions. However, in this case, the incoming space rock hit at a low angle. This led to the unusual oval shape of the crater and the irregular wings that extend from it.
This crater is located in the Idaeus Fossae region, an area known for its potential underground ice. The imagery suggests that the impact may have hit water or frozen ground, causing a fast-moving mudslide. The result? The unique fluid-like material that creates its wing-like extensions.
The Mars Express images also showcase impressive features around the crater, including steep, flat-topped mesas. Some of these mesas rise over a thousand meters high. Their dark edges hint at ancient volcanic activity in the area.
ESA researchers noted that the mesas contain materials rich in magnesium and iron, likely formed through volcanic processes. This suggests that this region of Mars was once very active, with layers of lava and ash shaping the terrain over time.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first butterfly-shaped crater found on Mars. Another one exists in the Hesperia Planum region, showing that these formations are rare yet valuable. Studying these craters helps scientists learn about the impact events that created them and the historical conditions on Mars.
As we continue exploring Mars, such discoveries keep fascinating us and deepening our understanding of the Red Planet’s past.
