A team led by Dimitra Atri from NYU Abu Dhabi has produced an unprecedented high-resolution map of Mars using images captured by the UAE’s Hope probe, part of the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM). This map is derived from over 3,000 observations from the Emirates Exploration Imager (EXI), which has been orbiting Mars since February 2021. By stitching together these observations over one Martian year, the team created a color composite map that highlights Mars’ significant geological features, including polar ice caps, mountains, volcanoes, ancient rivers, and impact craters.
The Mars Map exemplifies the UAE’s advancements in space science and serves as an educational resource to inspire STEM careers among young people in the region. Atri emphasizes that the completed map aims to provide a comprehensive view of Martian climate changes, a goal that sets EMM apart from previous missions that only captured snapshots of Mars’ weather. The map will be made accessible globally in both English and Arabic, facilitating research and understanding of Mars, with hopes of gaining insights that may benefit Earth. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s exploration of the Red Planet and contributes to a broader understanding of planetary climate dynamics.
