Extraordinary images reveal the mysteries of Mars

From HG Wells’ Alien Invaders War of the Worlds to Martianabandoned astronaut, we have long been inspired by the idea that life could exist on Mars – human or otherwise. The flyby, orbiter, and lander, including NASA’s Perseverance rover and its airborne companion Ingenuity, have made Mars one of the best-understood planets in our solar system. Now, more than ever, we are closer to answering the question: Can it live there?

A new book Mars: NASA archive photosit celebrates missions that have enriched our understanding from Mars and looks to a future where humans explore the Red Planet.

Above image, main photo: Gale Crater’s Dingo Gap, traversed by NASA’s Curiosity rover; An impact crater in Meridiani Planum, captured by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera; Mars surface temperature, cool blue to warm red, captured by the Thermal Emission Imaging System of the Mars Odyssey spacecraft; Perseverance photographs the parachute used to slow the landing; A rocket-powered stage lowers Perseverance to Mars in a “sky crane” maneuver.