ASTRONOMY PICTURE

OF THE DAY

MAY 26, 2003

The Earth and Moon from Mars

EXPLANATION

What does Earth look like from Mars? The first image of Earth from the red planet was captured earlier this month by the camera onboard the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft currently orbiting Mars. Features visible on Earth include the Pacific Ocean, clouds, much of South America, and part of North America. Earth’s Moon is visible on the upper right, with the crater Tycho brightening the lower part. Previously, Earth has been imaged from the Moon and spacecraft across the Solar System.

Credit

MSSS, JPL, NASA