Gamboa Crater, Mars Mar 18, 2023

Gamboa Crater, Mars

It would be pretty tough to live on Mars. It"s cold, dry, and the conditions are harsh. The planet"s average temperature is about –81 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can get as low as –243 at the poles. But with many canyons, extinct volcanoes, and ice caps, it"s beautiful to look at from afar. Most photos of the red planet highlight its rusty color, caused by high levels of iron oxide.

© NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona

palette

Today in History

Mar 18, 2018Christmas Tree Point Road and Twin Peaks, San Francisco
Mar 18, 2019Next stop, Tofino
Mar 18, 2020A stroll above the stratosphere
Mar 18, 2021A sizzling summit hides in the clouds
Mar 18, 2022Holi festival
Mar 18, 2024Elephant Rock, Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia
Mar 18, 2025Rock formations at Sedona, Arizona
Mar 18, 2026Cherry blossoms at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, Oregon

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb 8, 2026Corfu at night, Greece
Jul 19, 2022National Bison Month
Jun 29, 2019It s National Camera Day. Get the picture?
Mar 4, 2026Purple crocus flowers, Seven Rila Lakes, Bulgaria
Jan 27, 2023Guanahacabibes National Park, Cuba
Dec 11, 2021Everest s shadow on the Himalayas
Sep 14, 2023Przewalskis horses, Hustai National Park, Mongolia
Apr 27, 2021Design for Each and All
Apr 21, 2025International Dark Sky Week
Apr 25, 2024World Penguin Day
May 21, 2021Whoopin it up!
Mar 9, 2026Gray seal sleeping on the beach, Orkney Islands, Scotland
Nov 19, 2019Zion National Park Turns 100
Jan 12, 2021Sailing on thick ice
Feb 17, 2026Chinese New Year
Aug 8, 2023Infinity Day
Dec 16, 2018Holidays in the Venetian Lagoon
Jul 1, 2023The Tour de France begins
May 10, 2023Cordouan Lighthouse, France
Jun 16, 2025World Sea Turtle Day
Jul 2, 2025Spine-cheeked anemonefish in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Sep 28, 2018Southern right whales sail home to South Africa
Dec 3, 2022Art Basel Miami Beach
Apr 9, 2021A timeless view of the night sky
Dec 28, 2025Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act of 1973
Aug 8, 2018In celebration of cats
Jun 17, 2023International Surfing Day
Jul 1, 2022Tour de France
May 27, 2019Reflections on Memorial Day
Jun 24, 2022Cenote near Puerto Aventuras, Mexico