Mars lies an average of 225 million kilometres from Earth. Its surface is a cold, dusty desert with towering volcanoes, giant canyons, rocky plains, and unusual rock formations. Ancient riverbeds show that water once flowed here, raising the possibility that life might have existed on the Red Planet long ago. Every rover and orbiter sent there helps us uncover more secrets of this distant world. #NASA #mars #SpaceX | Space Journey

Sometimes scientists use enhanced-color images to reveal subtle variations on the surface of Mars. This view from our Mars Odyssey orbiter highlights details in clouds hovering over canyons in the Margaritifer Terra region in December. More from Odyssey: science.nasa.gov/mission/odyssey/ | NASA Mars