Mars Just Got a Little More Fabulous: The Feather-Shaped Cloud Spotted by Curiosity

So, you think Earth has the monopoly on beautiful skies? Think again!

On January 27, 2023, our trusty space chariot strapped with cameras—the Mars rover Curiosity—snapped a jaw-dropping view of an iridescent cloud that looks like it may have just stepped off the runway at Paris Fashion Week. I mean, who knew Mars had such a flair for the dramatic?

As the sun dipped below the Martian horizon, Curiosity captured this feather-shaped gem on its 3,724th Martian day, also known as a sol (because we scientists love our fancy terms). Forget about the usual dusty red landscape; this cloud was practically strutting its stuff in a dazzling display of colors. So vibrant, it could make a mood ring look like a grey rock!

But hold on to your Martian helmets, folks! This isn’t merely about aesthetics. The scientific community is buzzing with excitement over these fantabulous clouds. Studying the colors in iridescent clouds is a bit like being a cosmic detective. The hues give scientists crucial clues about the sizes of the particles swirling around within these clouds. It’s like a particle-sized game of hide-and-seek, and Curiosity is the Sherlock Holmes of Martian meteorology.

You see, this feathered phenomenon belongs to a type of cloud known as noctilucent, or as I like to call them, “night-shining” clouds. Who knew clouds had their own nickname that sounds like a trendy nightclub? “I’m off to the Night-Shin—er, sorry dessert buffet!”

The cloud-capturing adventure is part of an ongoing photo op initiated back in 2021. Apparently, Curiosity wanted to ensure Mars was not only scientifically intriguing but visually stunning as well. And, let’s be honest, with 28 individual images stitched together to create this marvel, Curiosity is undoubtedly the artsy friend of the Martian exploration crew. It’s like they called in a professional photographer to capture the moment just right!

So next time you’re gazing up at Earth’s clouds and feeling a little “meh,” remember that on Mars, there are fabulous nighttime displays happening without a care in the world. Perhaps we humans should take a cue from our Martian neighbors. If you’re ever in a creative rut, just look to the sky—even if it’s billions of miles away—and find inspiration in a feather-shaped, night-shining Martian cloud. After all, who said the universe can’t be a little glamorous? Keep looking up; you never know when a fabulous feather might float by!

Image via NASA https://ift.tt/JLRFBxC