ESA showcases the most realistic 3D video of Mars, revealing the scars of a planet that once had water
For the first time, we can now visually explore the ancient Martian landscape thanks to a new video released by the ESA. Utilizing data from the Mars Express probe, the images provide a three-dimensional recreation of a once flourishing system of canals on the red planet. This virtual journey allows us to witness a world that was once vibrant and filled with the promise of water.
A look at the watery past of the red planet
The video focuses on a region known as Xanthe Terra, featuring the massive channel Shalbatana Vallis that stretches over 1,300 kilometers from the southern highlands to the northern plains of Mars. Along this route, remnants of eroded islands, fossilized deltas, and terrain shaped by ancient water flows can be observed. These features serve as evidence of a time when rivers and oceans sculpted the Martian surface before the planet’s atmosphere thinned and water sources vanished.
How the digital flyover was made
The digital flyover, accessible on the ESA’s website, was created by combining data from various orbits with a digital terrain model to produce a detailed three-dimensional representation of the Martian landscape. Engineers from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) incorporated vertical exaggeration and atmospheric effects to enhance the visibility of the planet’s geological features. Each second of the flyover consists of 50 individual frames, showcasing canyons, craters, and plains shaped by ancient water flows under a soft lighting reminiscent of Martian sunrises.
Twenty years of discoveries on Mars
The Mars Express probe has been orbiting the planet since 2003, providing valuable insights into Mars’ atmosphere, moons, and geological formations. Even after two decades, the spacecraft continues to unveil new perspectives on the planet’s history. Through this immersive recreation, the ESA not only offers a glimpse into a bygone Martian landscape but also sparks imagination about the possibility of a world that once supported rivers, oceans, and potentially the conditions necessary for life.
