NASA release breath-taking snaps of Mars — and they’re completely out of this world

STUNNING new pictures have been released by NASA showing huge colourful formations on the so-called Red Planet.

The appearance of the planet changes in different conditions. Picture: NASA

STUNNING new pictures show the so-called red planet like it’s never been seen before.

As a specialised spacecraft has been circling Mars, it’s picked up a wide variety of snaps of the planet in a number of positions.

According to The Sun, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, known as the MRO, shows that the fourth planet from the sun takes on different forms when photographed in changing conditions.

Mars’ proximity to Earth, as well as the month of the year, are two key factors that change the appearance of the celestial body.

Just like Earth, the red planet’s surface contains some breath-taking characteristics, including dunes, valleys and slopes.

Here are 10 of the most awe-inspiring snaps taken by the MRO…

1. The North Polar Ice Cap of Mars. Picture: NASA

2. The sloping walls of the Tithonium Chasma, a canyon system on Mars. Picture: NASA

3. The dark dunes of the red planet. Picture: NASA

4. The Nili Fossae region, one of the most colourful places on the planet. Picture: NASA

5. Frosted sand dunes on Mars. Picture: NASA

6. The Noctis Labyrinthus Region. Picture: NASA

7. Mars’ seasonal cap of carbon dioxide. Picture: NASA

8. The pitted terrain of Solis Planum. Picture: NASA.

9. Boulders on a Martian landslide. Picture: NASA

10. Alluvial Fans in the Sahkei Crater. Picture: NASA