• 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

UAE Hope probe sends home treasure trove of new Mars images


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

A new treasure trove of Mars data containing hundreds of images captured by the UAE's Hope probe is set to give the world a greater understanding of the Red Planet.

The latest release of data sheds new light on some of the planet's key geographical features, such as Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the solar system, and Valles Marineris, a canyon network that is 4,000-kilometres long and reaches depths of up to 7km.

Images gathered by Hope are also putting Mars's ice caps and clouds into sharper focus.

Enthusiasts believe the information shared by the UAE will help people around the world to engage with the topic of space travel.

A high-resolution camera, called the eXploration imager instrument, aboard the Hope probe is also allowing scientists to create stunning images of the planet.

They are processing the raw monochromatic images to highlight geographical features such as Olympus Mons, ice caps and clouds.

Images processed by the public can help scientists in their research, as it means multiple eyes and hands on the thousands of images a spacecraft sends back.

Pictures bring Mars to life

Stuart Atkinson, who is based in the UK, has been processing some of the images by the Hope probe.

“There are some very striking new views of familiar features in the new data set, like Olympus Mons and Valles Marineris, a canyon system,” he said.

“We never get bored of seeing these, and the Hope probe is sending back wonderful new views of them.

“It's great that this data is being released so freely and quickly - unlike the images taken by the Indian and Chinese missions. It definitely helps people connect with the mission, and see Mars as a real place, a real world, not just a red star in the sky.

“I love the views from the eXploration imager because they let me imagine how I'd see Mars if I was approaching it in a spacecraft as a future explorer.”

Since arriving into Mars's orbit on February 9, 2021, the spacecraft has beamed back images revealing the planet's dynamic weather system and atmospheric conditions.

Earlier this month, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre released 76.5 gigabytes of data captured between May 4 and August 31.

The latest addition brings the total amount of data released to 312 gigabytes. The mission aims to collect one terabyte in its two-year operation.

These observations are helping planetary scientists study how the planet lost its atmosphere and how the weather changes daily and seasonally.

  • Dr Dimitra Atri, a research scientist at New York University Abu Dhabi, has created an atlas of Mars using data from the UAE’s Hope probe. The full map will be published later this month, but he gave 'The National' a preview. All photos by Dr Atri / Emirates Mars Mission and infographic by Roy Cooper / The National
    Dr Dimitra Atri, a research scientist at New York University Abu Dhabi, has created an atlas of Mars using data from the UAE’s Hope probe. The full map will be published later this month, but he gave 'The National' a preview. All photos by Dr Atri / Emirates Mars Mission and infographic by Roy Cooper / The National
  • The Arabia Quadrangle region on Mars.
    The Arabia Quadrangle region on Mars.
  • The Syrtis Major Planum region on Mars.
    The Syrtis Major Planum region on Mars.
  • The Elsyium region on Mars.
    The Elsyium region on Mars.

Andrea Luck, based in Scotland, is another space image processor who has been sharing images of the planet captured by the Hope probe.

Some of his images have been widely shared on Twitter, including ones that show the planet’s northern ice cap and clouds in the Arsia Mons caldera – a large volcanic crater.

“The pictures coming from the Hope Probe’s eye, the eXploration imager, are simply incredible and very easy to access for the public,” Mr Luck said.

“If you like to process space photos, you’ll be amazed by the quality of each filter.

“It’s such a milestone to have so many international missions sharing their data with the entire planet - a very strong message for humanity, but also having the possibility to have more probes working at the same time on a target gives us the chance to compare data and verify any discovery.”

The data will also help Dr Dimitra Atri, a planetary scientist at the New York University in Abu Dhabi, who is creating an atlas to show how Mars changes with time, including daily and seasonal variations.

The Hope probe is circling the planet in an elliptical orbit that allows it to observe from much further away than any other spacecraft.

Its strategic position will help researchers such as Dr Atri to create a global image of the planet.

“The idea is to produce an atlas which will be of use both for the global scientific community and the public at large,” Dr Atri said.

“Having followed this mission for a very long time, it gives me great satisfaction to not only study the planet to solve research problems but to share it with the wider community.”

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre has promised to release a new set of data every three months.

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

 

 

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

Countries offering golden visas

UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.

Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.

Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.

Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.

Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence. 

Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica

Best Agent: Jorge Mendes

Best Club : Liverpool   

 Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)  

 Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

 Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

 Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP

 Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart

Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)

Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)

Best Women's Player:  Lucy Bronze

Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi

 Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

 Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)

 Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs

Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side

8 There are eight players per team

There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.

5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls

Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs

B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run

Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs

Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sav%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Purvi%20Munot%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24750%2C000%20as%20of%20March%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).

Second leg

Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm

Games on BeIN Sports

EA Sports FC 24
PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

Updated: January 25, 2022, 2:15 PM