• The high-resolution camera, called the eXploration imager instrument, aboard the Hope probe is allowing space enthusiasts to create stunning images of the planet. They are processing the raw monochromatic images to highlight Mars' geographical features. This image was enhanced by Andrea Luck and shows a cloudy day on the planet. The North Pole, Olympus Mons (largest planet in the solar system) and Tharsis Montes (a region home to three large shield volcanoes) is also visible. Photo: Hope Mars Mission / Andrea Luck
    The high-resolution camera, called the eXploration imager instrument, aboard the Hope probe is allowing space enthusiasts to create stunning images of the planet. They are processing the raw monochromatic images to highlight Mars' geographical features. This image was enhanced by Andrea Luck and shows a cloudy day on the planet. The North Pole, Olympus Mons (largest planet in the solar system) and Tharsis Montes (a region home to three large shield volcanoes) is also visible. Photo: Hope Mars Mission / Andrea Luck
  • This photo shows another cloudy day on Mars. Photo: Hope Mars Mission / Andrea Luck
    This photo shows another cloudy day on Mars. Photo: Hope Mars Mission / Andrea Luck
  • A stunning global view of Mars that shows the North Pole, captured on May 24, 2021. Hope Mars Mission / Jason Major
    A stunning global view of Mars that shows the North Pole, captured on May 24, 2021. Hope Mars Mission / Jason Major
  • Olympus Mons and the Tharsis Montes region is visible in this photo, captured sometime between May and August, 2021. Photo: Hope Mars Mission / Stuart Atkinson
    Olympus Mons and the Tharsis Montes region is visible in this photo, captured sometime between May and August, 2021. Photo: Hope Mars Mission / Stuart Atkinson
  • A global view of Mars. This image was captured sometime between May and August, 2021. Hope Mars Mission / Stuart Atkinson
    A global view of Mars. This image was captured sometime between May and August, 2021. Hope Mars Mission / Stuart Atkinson
  • An image of Mars taken by the UAE's Hope probe and edited by Twitter user @SzabBen004. Enthusiasts have been processing their own images of the red planet using high-resolution output from the Emirates Exploration Imager system. Photo: @SzabBen004
    An image of Mars taken by the UAE's Hope probe and edited by Twitter user @SzabBen004. Enthusiasts have been processing their own images of the red planet using high-resolution output from the Emirates Exploration Imager system. Photo: @SzabBen004
  • 'With a length of almost 4,000 kilometres, width of 200km at some points and depth of 7km, Valles Marineris is one of the largest and most impressive canyons of the Solar System.' Photo: @SzabBen004
    'With a length of almost 4,000 kilometres, width of 200km at some points and depth of 7km, Valles Marineris is one of the largest and most impressive canyons of the Solar System.' Photo: @SzabBen004
  • 'Here is a photograph of Mars I got by using raw image from the Hope Mars Mission, processing it into Photoshop and colourising it using AI. Amazed by the result! At this time, Hope probe was at 23,638km altitude from Mars.' Photo: @Vince_Ch
    'Here is a photograph of Mars I got by using raw image from the Hope Mars Mission, processing it into Photoshop and colourising it using AI. Amazed by the result! At this time, Hope probe was at 23,638km altitude from Mars.' Photo: @Vince_Ch
  • 'What a view of mountains on Mars! Captured by the UAE's @HopeMarsMission. Olympus Mons: largest and tallest mountain in the Solar System. Tharsis Montes: three large shield volcanoes in the Tharsis region.' Photo: @cosmicatri
    'What a view of mountains on Mars! Captured by the UAE's @HopeMarsMission. Olympus Mons: largest and tallest mountain in the Solar System. Tharsis Montes: three large shield volcanoes in the Tharsis region.' Photo: @cosmicatri
  • 'The UAE @HopeMarsMission released lots of raw data today. Here's an image of Mars I made processing some of that info.' Photo: @mars_stu
    'The UAE @HopeMarsMission released lots of raw data today. Here's an image of Mars I made processing some of that info.' Photo: @mars_stu
  • 'What a spectacular view of Mars captured by the UAE's @HopeMarsMission! Created this image from the data released today and HAD to share!' Photo: @cosmicatri
    'What a spectacular view of Mars captured by the UAE's @HopeMarsMission! Created this image from the data released today and HAD to share!' Photo: @cosmicatri
  • 'I took the orange haze from the black background.' Photo: @MurdockPhotosWx
    'I took the orange haze from the black background.' Photo: @MurdockPhotosWx
  • 'Some great shots in the @HopeMarsMission data drop - I put a few RGB composites together.' Photo: @doug_ellison
    'Some great shots in the @HopeMarsMission data drop - I put a few RGB composites together.' Photo: @doug_ellison
  • 'Gorgeous new crescent view of Mars - a perspective you can never get from Earth. Taken by @HopeMarsMission.' Photo: @SpaceGeck
    'Gorgeous new crescent view of Mars - a perspective you can never get from Earth. Taken by @HopeMarsMission.' Photo: @SpaceGeck
  • 'Mars from the Emirates Mars Mission at 24th February 2021. Emirates Mars Mission (EMM)/EXI/Daniel Machacek.' Photo: @DanielMachacek_
    'Mars from the Emirates Mars Mission at 24th February 2021. Emirates Mars Mission (EMM)/EXI/Daniel Machacek.' Photo: @DanielMachacek_
  • 'My first colour image of Mars made from the raw data released yesterday by the UAE Hope mission. Others have done/will do a lot better but I'm pleased with it :-) Hope Mars Mission/S Atkinson.' Photo: @mars_stu
    'My first colour image of Mars made from the raw data released yesterday by the UAE Hope mission. Others have done/will do a lot better but I'm pleased with it :-) Hope Mars Mission/S Atkinson.' Photo: @mars_stu
  • 'Oh Mars, now you've got to be kidding me! This is my catch of the Red Planet and its Olympus Mons (the highest mountain and Volcano in the Solar System btw) as seen by @HopeMarsMission.' Photo: @andrluck
    'Oh Mars, now you've got to be kidding me! This is my catch of the Red Planet and its Olympus Mons (the highest mountain and Volcano in the Solar System btw) as seen by @HopeMarsMission.' Photo: @andrluck
  • 'Emirates #Mars Mission مسبار الأمل 2021-04-22 Spacecraft altitude 38.480 km Exi f635 + f546 + f437 filters L2 data.' Photo: @landru79
    'Emirates #Mars Mission مسبار الأمل 2021-04-22 Spacecraft altitude 38.480 km Exi f635 + f546 + f437 filters L2 data.' Photo: @landru79
  • 'The UAE @HopeMarsMission released lots of raw data today. Here's an image of Mars I made processing some of that info. Hope Mars Mission/S Atkinson.' Photo: @mars_stu
    'The UAE @HopeMarsMission released lots of raw data today. Here's an image of Mars I made processing some of that info. Hope Mars Mission/S Atkinson.' Photo: @mars_stu
  • “The science data from @HopeMarsMission has just been released! I started playing with the photos taken on February 10. By playing on the gamma, we bring out cloud structures near the terminator. Noctilucent clouds?" Photo: @thomas_appere
    “The science data from @HopeMarsMission has just been released! I started playing with the photos taken on February 10. By playing on the gamma, we bring out cloud structures near the terminator. Noctilucent clouds?" Photo: @thomas_appere
  • 'The UAE @HopeMarsMission released lots of raw data today. Here's an image of Mars I made processing some of that info. Hope Mars Mission/S Atkinson.' Photo: @mars_stu
    'The UAE @HopeMarsMission released lots of raw data today. Here's an image of Mars I made processing some of that info. Hope Mars Mission/S Atkinson.' Photo: @mars_stu
  • 'Emirates Mars Mission مسبار الأمل 2021-03-16 Spacecraft altitude 1098.68 km Exi f635 + f546 + f437 filters L2 data.' Photo: @landru79
    'Emirates Mars Mission مسبار الأمل 2021-03-16 Spacecraft altitude 1098.68 km Exi f635 + f546 + f437 filters L2 data.' Photo: @landru79

Five remarkable images captured by Emirates Mars Mission Hope probe


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

A UAE spacecraft that reached Mars's orbit last year has sent back thousands of images that show the stunning geographical features of the mysterious red planet.

From views of the elusive auroras that have puzzled scientists to enormous volcanoes visible from space, the Hope orbiter has recorded plenty of images since it arrived on February 9, 2021.

More than 100 gigabytes of scientific data captured by the spacecraft’s three instruments has already been released to the public, including readings on the planet’s atmospheric conditions.

It is the first successful interplanetary mission by an Arab country, paving the way for the Emirates to take on even more ambitious projects.

The National highlights some of the most remarkable images captured by the spacecraft.

First image by Hope

An image of Mars taken from the Hope probe. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission / EXI 2021
An image of Mars taken from the Hope probe. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission / EXI 2021

Less than a week after Hope reached Mars, it beamed back its first image of the planet.

It showed the Tharsis Montes region, an area that has three large shield volcanoes, in sharp detail.

The Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the solar system, at sunrise was also visible.

Captured 24,700 kilometres above the surface of Mars, the North Pole of the planet can be seen in the upper left of the image.

Ice clouds are visible over the southern highlands and the Alba Mona Volcano.

Tectonic fissures

On March 15, the spacecraft captured an image of Cerberus Fossae, a series of fissures that formed when the crust was pulled apart in the region.

The fracture system stretches more than 1,000 kilometres across the Martian surface.

It is a tectonically and volcanically active region that experiences Marsquakes.

Hope probe sent back an image of the Cerberus Fossae, an area on the planet known for 'Marsquakes'. Photo: Hope Mars Mission
Hope probe sent back an image of the Cerberus Fossae, an area on the planet known for 'Marsquakes'. Photo: Hope Mars Mission

It is believed the fractures could be related to the nearby volcanic systems, such as Elysium and Tharsis.

Some experts have said these fractures may have been the source for catastrophic releases of groundwater, triggered by volcanic activity.

Hope captured the image when it was closest to Mars’s planetary surface.

Largest mountain in solar system

The spacecraft offered a detailed look at Olympus Mons a few weeks after reaching Mars.

Taken from 13,007km above the planet, the image shows the largest volcano in the solar system in stunning detail.

An image of the solar system's largest volcano, Olympus Mons, captured by the UAE Hope probe. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission
An image of the solar system's largest volcano, Olympus Mons, captured by the UAE Hope probe. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission

It was first shared by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, on his social media accounts.

“Olympus Mons … highest peak in our solar system. Almost three times the height of Mount Everest. Taken by Hope Probe at 13,000km above Mars surface,” he wrote.

The volcano is located in the Tharsis region of Mars and measures 642 kilometres in diameter.

Aurora on Mars

In April, Hope captured the discrete aurora on Mars – similar to the Northern Lights on Earth.

It was the first time such clear observations had been made. Scientific images were released at the time, along with an artist’s impression of what the aurora could look like on Mars.

Discrete aurora on Mars captured by UAE's Hope probe. Photo: Hope Mars Mission
Discrete aurora on Mars captured by UAE's Hope probe. Photo: Hope Mars Mission

The rare phenomenon occurs around Mars’s irregular crustal magnetic field and is created when energetic electrons in the upper atmosphere collide with gas molecules in the atmosphere.

This causes ionisation, dissociation of molecules and emission of photons – causing the 'dancing lights’.

There are two other types of aurora that have been documented before, the diffuse and the proton.

Bright hemisphere

Hope took photos of a fully illuminated hemisphere of Mars.

These were similar to observations carried out regularly by weather satellites around Earth.

Captured 20,260km above the planetary surface, the image was taken when it was late spring in its northern hemisphere.

A fully illuminated hemisphere of Mars. Photo: Hope Mars Mission
A fully illuminated hemisphere of Mars. Photo: Hope Mars Mission

Mars’ northern and southern hemisphere are different from each other. The northern part has non-volcanic and flat lowlands, while the south hosts volcanoes that are scattered throughout on high land.

Inside the Dubai ground control that tracks UAE's Mars spacecraft - in pictures

  • The operations control room at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, where Emirati personnel track and communicate with UAE's Mars Hope probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The operations control room at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, where Emirati personnel track and communicate with UAE's Mars Hope probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Zakareyya Al Shamsi, the deputy manager of mission operations, explains how the team is constantly tracking the probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Zakareyya Al Shamsi, the deputy manager of mission operations, explains how the team is constantly tracking the probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Mohammad Al Balooshi, flight controller, sends the 'go/no-go' instructions to the person responsible for issuing commands to the probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Mohammad Al Balooshi, flight controller, sends the 'go/no-go' instructions to the person responsible for issuing commands to the probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Mr Al Shamsi explains how they track the UAE's Hope probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Mr Al Shamsi explains how they track the UAE's Hope probe. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The UAE's Hope probe lifted off from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre on July 20, 1.58am UAE time. AFP
    The UAE's Hope probe lifted off from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre on July 20, 1.58am UAE time. AFP
  • The final version of the spacecraft has two solar panels that help power its systems. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission
    The final version of the spacecraft has two solar panels that help power its systems. Photo: Emirates Mars Mission
  • The UAE team watch the launch of the Mars Hope probe at the Tanegashima Space Centre.
    The UAE team watch the launch of the Mars Hope probe at the Tanegashima Space Centre.
  • Omran Sharaf is the project director for the Emirates' Hope space probe to Mars. AP
    Omran Sharaf is the project director for the Emirates' Hope space probe to Mars. AP
Predictions

Predicted winners for final round of games before play-offs:

  • Friday: Delhi v Chennai - Chennai
  • Saturday: Rajasthan v Bangalore - Bangalore
  • Saturday: Hyderabad v Kolkata - Hyderabad
  • Sunday: Delhi v Mumbai - Mumbai
  • Sunday - Chennai v Punjab - Chennai

Final top-four (who will make play-offs): Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore

Asia Cup 2018 final

Who: India v Bangladesh

When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium

Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD

CABINET%20OF%20CURIOSITIES%20EPISODE%201%3A%20LOT%2036
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGuillermo%20del%20Toro%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tim%20Blake%20Nelson%2C%20Sebastian%20Roche%2C%20Elpidia%20Carrillo%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances

All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.

Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.

Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.

Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.

Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.

Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.

UAE'S%20YOUNG%20GUNS
%3Cp%3E1%20Esha%20Oza%2C%20age%2026%2C%2079%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E2%20Theertha%20Satish%2C%20age%2020%2C%2066%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E3%20Khushi%20Sharma%2C%20age%2021%2C%2065%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E4%20Kavisha%20Kumari%2C%20age%2021%2C%2079%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E5%20Heena%20Hotchandani%2C%20age%2023%2C%2016%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E6%20Rinitha%20Rajith%2C%20age%2018%2C%2034%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E7%20Samaira%20Dharnidharka%2C%20age%2017%2C%2053%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E8%20Vaishnave%20Mahesh%2C%20age%2017%2C%2068%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E9%20Lavanya%20Keny%2C%20age%2017%2C%2033%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E10%20Siya%20Gokhale%2C%20age%2018%2C%2033%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E11%20Indhuja%20Nandakumar%2C%20age%2018%2C%2046%20matches%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fislamic-economy-consumer-spending-to-increase-45-to-3-2tn-by-2024-1.936583%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EGlobal%20Islamic%20economy%20to%20grow%203.1%25%20to%20touch%20%242.4%20trillion%20by%202024%3C%2Fa%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fuk-economy-plunges-into-worst-ever-recession-after-record-20-4-contraction-1.1062560%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EUK%20economy%20plunges%20into%20worst-ever%20recession%20after%20record%2020.4%25%20contraction%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fislamic-economy-consumer-spending-to-increase-45-to-3-2tn-by-2024-1.936583%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EIslamic%20economy%20consumer%20spending%20to%20increase%2045%25%20to%20%243.2tn%20by%202024%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha

Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar

Director: Neeraj Pandey

Rating: 2.5/5

THE SPECS

Aston Martin Rapide AMR

Engine: 6.0-litre V12

Transmission: Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic

Power: 595bhp

Torque: 630Nm

Price: Dh999,563

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Updated: February 09, 2022, 9:02 AM