Posted on by Nancy Atkinson

What Does the Grand Canyon Look Like from Space?

Can you spot the Grand Canyon in this picture? It is surprisingly hard to see. Astronaut Koichi Wakata took this picture on March 26, 2014 from the International Space Station, and thankfully he provided a clue: look in the bottom center portion in the photo.

Astronaut Karen Nyberg also took a photo of the Grand Canyon last fall from the ISS, and this one offers a little better closeup:

If you’ve ever stood at this Canyon’s edge or even flew over in a plane, you know how dramatic the view is. From space … not so much.

You may have seen a fake image of the Grand Canyon from space floating around the various social medias last year that looks much more majestic. I won’t share it here, but suffice to say, it’s a doctored up aerial view with a starry sky photoshopped in. The images here are the real view of the Grand Canyon from space.

Earth’s Grand Canyon pales in comparison to Valles Marineris on Mars– the biggest canyon we know of in the Solar System — which is ten times longer and five times deeper than our Grand Canyon here on Earth.

In depth: Valles Marineris: The Grandest Canyon of All

Valles Marineris as seen in this mosaic of Viking orbiter images. Noctis Labyrinthus at the left, Melas Chasma in the middle, Hebes Chasma just left of top center, Eos Chasma at lower right and Ganges Chasma just above center right. Credit: NASA/JPL
Valles Marineris as seen in this mosaic of Viking orbiter images. Noctis Labyrinthus at the left, Melas Chasma in the middle, Hebes Chasma just left of top center, Eos Chasma at lower right and Ganges Chasma just above center right. Credit: NASA/JPL

2 Replies to “What Does the Grand Canyon Look Like from Space?”

  1. Am still thinking that the Valley Marinaris AND the four giant shield volcanoes aligned to the West of that big old crack were caused by the reflected antipodal impact energy that created Hellas Planitia. There’s only one way to tell for sure if this is the case? We’ve got to go there…

    Speaking of Hellas Planitia.. I am convinced that IF THERE IS STILL life currently on Mars it would be there, given the lower elevation with higher atmospheric pressure, higher temperatures and possible deep cracks with subsequent conduit(s) for mineral hot springs. Again, there’s only one way to find out for sure…

    http://www.universetoday.com/110279/till-hellas-freezes-over-see-frost-and-clouds-in-mars-largest-crater/

  2. Yes Aqua4U it would be some sight after being at the Grand Canyon which was impressive, to be on Mars looking down into Valles Marineris the future looks great,Oh to be born in 2149 instead of 1949.. Future generations will see fantastic things in our Gallaxy… But we can still dream 🙂

Comments are closed.