Mars Odyssey Captures Stunning Views of Arsia Mons and its Cloud Cover

NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter has captured breathtaking images of Arsia Mons, one of Mars' largest volcanoes, and its surrounding cloud formations. Twice as tall as Earth's Mauna Loa, Arsia Mons is particularly cloudy, especially when Mars is farthest from the sun. These clouds form as air rises and cools on the mountain's slopes, creating a distinct cloud belt across the equator. The images, taken by Odyssey's THEMIS camera, also reveal surface details including water ice distribution, crucial information for future Mars missions. This research enhances our understanding of Martian weather and dust storm formation.