Mars Odyssey Orbiter's 20th Year: NASA Shares Stunning Blue Dune Photo From Red Planet

NASA published a stunning picture of Mars' blue dunes on Thursday, April 8.

The space agency released the photograph, named "Blue Dunes on the Red Planet," as part of a special collection of photos commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Mars Odyssey orbiter.

How Does The Martian Blue Dunes Look Like?

NASA said the northern polar cap of Mars is surrounded by a sea of dark dunes sculpted into long lines by the wind.

The image released by the space agency covers a 30-kilometer range, but it is larger than Texas in the United States.

The picture of the sand dunes is a false color image, meaning the colors reflect temperatures.

Warmer features are represented in yellows and oranges, while colder features are depicted in bluer tints. As a result, the cool, sun-warmed dunes take on a stunning golden hue.

This scene was created by combining images taken by the Thermal Emission Imaging System instrument on the Mars Odyssey orbiter between December 2002 and November 2004.

It's part of a rare series of photographs commemorating Odyssey's 20th anniversary as the world's longest-running Mars spacecraft. On Mars, 80.3 degrees north latitude and 172.1 degrees east longitude are depicted.

NASA Odyssey Orbiter: Is It The Oldest Working Spacecraft in Mars?

Digital Trends said NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

The Mars Odyssey orbiter was launched 20 years ago on April 7 to chart the Martian surface structure and provide scientists with insight into how the red planet formed over time.

The oldest operating spacecraft had already proved its worth in other areas of NASA's exploration. It served as a vital communications relay for other spacecraft, allowing other Martian missions to land safely.

The Mars Odyssey orbiter acted as a long-distance call center for NASA's rovers and landers as part of the Mars Relay Network, supporting over 18,000 relay sessions since its flight.

The Mars Odyssey orbiter has discovered troves of water ice on the Martian surface, aiding scientists in understanding the planet's water cycle.

Using Odyssey's infrared telescope, the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), scientists were also able to work together to complete the global maps of Mars.

Scientists were able to classify the physical materials that make up the red planet by calculating daily surface temperatures.

Scientists were able to chart valley networks and craters using the data obtained by Mars Odyssey during its two decades of operation, which led to the discovery of iron-rich minerals, salts, sandstones, and more.