WASHINGTON: The U.S. space agency NASA has released a stunning time-lapse video of Mars, offering a remarkable new view of the Red Planet captured during the Psyche mission’s journey through the solar system.
Mars, often referred to as the Red Planet, is Earth’s neighboring planet and has been the focus of numerous scientific missions aimed at understanding its geology, climate, and potential for past life.
Psyche Mission Captures Thousands of Images
NASA said the footage was recorded by the Psyche spacecraft, which is currently traveling toward the asteroid belt to study the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche.
During its journey, the spacecraft flew close to Mars in May 2026, using the planet’s gravity to gain additional speed through a maneuver known as a gravity assist.
As it passed by the planet, the spacecraft captured thousands of images, which NASA has now combined into a spectacular time-lapse video.
Rare View of the Red Planet
The newly released footage provides a unique perspective of Mars as seen from the passing spacecraft, highlighting the planet’s distinctive reddish surface and demonstrating the capabilities of NASA’s imaging technology.
The images also helped mission scientists monitor the spacecraft’s instruments and navigation while taking advantage of the close flyby.
Mission Continues Toward Asteroid Belt
The Psyche mission remains on course toward its primary destination, the metallic asteroid 16 Psyche, located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Scientists believe the asteroid may represent the exposed core of an early planetary body, making it an important target for understanding how rocky planets, including Earth, formed billions of years ago.
NASA said the Mars flyby marked an important milestone in the mission, while the newly released video offers space enthusiasts a breathtaking glimpse of one of the solar system’s most studied planets.
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