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Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Mars during the 2003 opposition

Mars during the 2003 opposition
Mars during the 2003 opposition This photo was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope during Mars' closest approach to Earth in over 60,000 years, on August 27, 2003. NASA, J. Bell (Cornell University), and M. Wolff (Space Science Institute)

The view shows the triangular, dark shape called Syrtis Major to the right of center, and the equatorial dark stripe called Sinus Meridiani to the left of center. The giant, ancient Hellas Basin is the circular feature at lower right.