NASA’s Curiosity rover has captured stunning images of noctilucent clouds on Mars. These rare and ethereal clouds exist in the upper atmosphere, typically around 75-85 km above the surface. The clouds are formed of ice crystals and can be seen during early evening hours when they are still bathed in sunlight.
Noctilucent clouds were first observed on Earth by meteorologists but their existence was later confirmed in the Martian atmosphere two decades ago. In 2012, NASA’s Curiosity rover began exploring Mars’ surface, and its Mastcam instrument has recently captured images of noctilucent clouds.
The images show white clouds with a reddish tint, revealing the unique properties of these clouds on Mars. The time-lapse video consists of 16 minutes of observations, providing a rare glimpse into the Martian atmosphere. This discovery suggests that noctilucent clouds could exist on other planets with thin atmospheres, expanding our understanding of atmospheric phenomena beyond Earth.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/02/curiosity-spies-stunning-clouds-at-twilight-on-mars