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.
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.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
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THE SPECS
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors
Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode
Power: 121hp
Torque: 142Nm
Price: Dh95,900
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
The five pillars of Islam
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.”
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
