Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Mars near opposition from Pic du midi Observatory, 2016

Mars near opposition from Pic du midi Observatory, 2016
Mars near opposition from Pic du midi Observatory, 2016 This photo was taken on May 20, 2016, just two days before Mars' opposition, and 10 days before its closest approach to Earth in 11 years. Olympus Mons and the Tharsis montes gather clouds close to their peaks on the right side; Gale and Knobel craters lie at the top of two dark streaks at center left. J.L. Dauvergne / E. Kraalkamp / F. Colas / S2P / IMCCE / OMP