Mars Through the Lens: A Journey with Robotic Eyes

The first close-up pictures of Mars were captured by Mariner 4 in 1965. These grainy black-and-white images revealed a cratered surface, dispelling the myth of Martian canals and igniting further interest in the Red Planet.

In 1976, the Viking missions sent back the first color images of Mars. These photos showcased the planet's rusty-red soil and pinkish sky, providing a more accurate representation of the Martian landscape and atmosphere.

NASA's Curiosity rover has captured stunning high-resolution panoramas of Mars since 2012. These detailed images allow scientists to study the planet's geology and climate in unprecedented detail, revealing evidence of ancient water flows.

In 2018, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter discovered extensive ice deposits just below the surface. High-resolution images showed cliffs with exposed ice, suggesting that Mars has more accessible water than previously thought, crucial for future human missions.

In 2021, the Ingenuity helicopter captured the first aerial photos of Mars. These unique images provide a bird's-eye view of the Martian terrain, offering new perspectives and helping plan future rover routes and missions.

Unlike Earth, Mars experiences blue sunsets due to its thin atmosphere scattering sunlight differently, creating an unusual yet beautiful phenomenon.