Is it white chocolate or the surface of Mars?

A new image of the dunes on the North Pole Martian looks a lot like a chocolate bar.

The CaSSIS instrument of the Orbiter Trace Gas Ortral of the European Space Agency / Roscosmos ExoMars captured this image of ice-covered dunes, published by ESA this week. The dark areas are the result of gas exploding ice, forcing the sand to the surface.

Here is the complete picture:

The dunes on Mars are formed when the winds move the sediments, just like on Earth. Observing their orientation tells scientists the direction of the wind, according to an ESA press release. This image shows the result of the formation of frozen carbon dioxide sublimating into a gas and erupting on the icy surface, resulting in black sand.

The poles of Mars are already the subject of much research and it is thought that they are filled with water, even liquid. But Trace Gas Orbiter is also looking for more information on the gases on the planet, like its methane. Previous research has shown that Mars methane levels varied from season to season and increased this year. The researchers hope to understand the activity of the planet, both geologically and biologically.

Fortunately, the Trace Gas Orbiter's CaSSIS instrument also takes a lot of awesome photos. In recent years, we have witnessed a spider-like scene that can be caused by small tornadoes and vast views of impact craters.