On July 15, 1965, NASA’s Mariner 4 spacecraft made history by snapping the first-ever close-up photos of Mars’ surface. The onboard camera captured 22 pictures of the planet’s surface, revealing a vast, dry, and heavily cratered desert that completely changed our understanding of Mars.
Launched on November 28, 1964, Mariner 4 took nearly eight months to reach Mars, sending back observations from millions of miles away. The spacecraft was designed to study the red planet, but its journey revealed more than scientists initially expected.
When the photos were finally transmitted back to Earth after a four-day delay, team members were ecstatic – until they realized that one image showed what appeared to be clouds on Mars. Initially dismissed as a camera lens crack or instrument failure, it was later confirmed that indeed, there are clouds on Mars.
The images revealed a cratered surface eerily similar to the Moon’s, sparking a mix of excitement and skepticism among scientists. Although these initial photos covered just one percent of Mars’ surface, they opened up a new era in Solar System planetary science and exploration.
Today, we know more about Mars than ever before – including its volcanic past, water flow, and diverse landscape. While much remains to be discovered, the legacy of Mariner 4 continues to inspire scientists and fuel hopes of finding life on the Red Planet.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/mars-seen-up-close-in-stunning-world-first-60-years-ago-today