11 ‘Out-Of-This-World’ Photos Sent by Mangalyaan That Made Us Go WOW!

Ever since it began its mission in space, the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) spacecraft has been clicking some stupendous images, opening a window into outer space for all of us to enjoy the view. Here are 11 of those marvels.

By Tanaya Singh

September 12, 2015

Ever since it began its mission in space, the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) spacecraft has been clicking some stupendous images, opening a window into outer space so all of us can enjoy the view. Here’s how the craft has kept us entertained and spellbound with witty comments and incredible photos.

India’s very own Mangalyaan, which has been orbiting Mars since about a year now, keeps sending some really amazing shots from out there. And people at Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), being as gracious as they have always been, keep releasing those pictures, so all of us can get a piece of the breathtaking wonder.

All the pictures are taken by the Mars Orbiter with its Mars Color Camera (MCC). Each image is magnificent in itself, and gives us the privilege of watching something which is literally out of this world, and situated millions of kilometres away – it’s nothing but incredible that we can view them in such high resolution from the comfort of our couches. All thanks to MOM.

Here are 11 marvels from ISRO’s photo bank that literally took our breath away:

1. Taken just a few days after launch, this one shows India. What a view!

mom1 — First image of the Earth by MCC of Mars Orbiter Spacecraft taken on Nov 19, 2013

2. That’s the first image of the target planet – Mars. And with it, the orbiter informed us that it is enjoying the journey as well!

The view is nice up here. pic.twitter.com/VmAjNI76lm
— ISRO’s Mars Orbiter (@MarsOrbiter) September 25, 2014

MOM2 — Mars Orbiter Spacecraft captures its first image of Mars. Taken from a height of 7300 km.

3. Hey Red Planet, we can see you!

Something’s brewing here! pic.twitter.com/ecX1t6onXp

— ISRO’s Mars Orbiter (@MarsOrbiter) September 29, 2014

mom3 — Regional dust storm activities over Northern Hemisphere of Mars – captured by MCC

4. That’s so pretty. Even the orbiter was left spellbound.

Did you see that? It moved! Oh, it’s just Phobos. https://t.co/vaY7w5JjW0
— ISRO’s Mars Orbiter (@MarsOrbiter) October 14, 2014

Phobos, one of the two natural satellites of Mars silhouetted against the Martian surface

5. The grandest canyon of all: Valles Marineris

6. It’s amazing how they do it! That’s an ancient Martian volcano and its time worn gullies.

Tyrrhenus Mons as seen by Mars Color Camera (MCC)

7. Looks like an image out of a science fiction novel, doesn’t it?

Impact crater located SW of Huygens crater

8. It made us see clouds too. Martian clouds!

9. The first photo taken after the blackout

mom10 From June 8 to 22, the sun had blocked Mars from Earth, thereby cutting all our communication with the orbiter. Read more about this image here.

10. Mangalyaan has been doing a lot of work lately. As it had informed us earlier:

I’m in the zone! been studying the planet with all my gears on. Can’t wait till @ISRO posts my processed results. @Prasannasimha

— ISRO’s Mars Orbiter (@MarsOrbiter) October 3, 2014

MCC image shows relatively smooth plains dotted with some craters and stepped mesas and knobs.

11. This one was a gift for us on Independence Day.

All Pictures: www.isro.gov.in

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