Slideshow · Science
15 Jaw-Dropping Planet Close-Ups Captured By NASA Spacecraft
From Jupiter's violent Great Red Spot to Saturn's razor-sharp rings, NASA spacecraft have captured planetary details that defy belief. Here are 15 of the most stunning.
14 hours agoVerified Editorial
⏱6 Min Read
◫16 Verified Slides
15 Jaw-Dropping Planet Close-Ups Captured By NASA Spacecraft 
15. Mercury's Caloris BasinA titanic multi-ring impact basin spanning 950 miles across Mercury. 
14. Venus's Maat Mons VolcanoA towering 5-mile-high volcanic shield dominating the scorching Venusian surface. 
13. Earth's Luminous Blue LimbThe razor-thin atmospheric glow that separates our living oceans from vacuum. - AdvertisementSwipe or tap ▶ to continue countdown
12. Mars's Valles MarinerisA grand canyon system that stretches 2,500 miles across the Martian equator. 
11. Mars's Olympus Mons CalderaThe colossal summit caldera atop the tallest volcano in the entire solar system. 
10. Mars's Proctor Crater DunesDark ripples of basaltic sand sculpted by the thin, high-velocity winds of Mars. 
9. Mars's Mount Sharp Rock StrataSedimentary mudstone rock layers that hold billions of years of lake history. - AdvertisementSwipe or tap ▶ to continue countdown
8. Jupiter's Jovian Cloud SwirlsIntricate ammonia and water cloud bands resembling a turbulent oil painting. 
7. Jupiter's Polar CyclonesA bizarre geometric cluster of enduring cyclones swirling at Jupiter's south pole. 
6. Jupiter's Great Red SpotThe most detailed close-up ever captured of the 10,000-mile-wide crimson superstorm. 
5. Saturn's Atmospheric BeltsSmooth golden haze and fine atmospheric banding in Saturn's northern skies. - AdvertisementSwipe or tap ▶ to continue countdown
4. Saturn's North Polar HexagonA massive six-sided geometric jet stream locked permanently around Saturn's pole. 
3. Saturn's Majestic RingsBillions of water ice particles cast razor-sharp shadows across the gas giant. 
2. Uranus's Cyan Cloud BandsA serene ice giant enveloped in methane smog and delicate high-altitude hazes. 
1. Neptune's Great Dark SpotAn Earth-sized supersonic storm flanked by wispy white methane cirrus clouds. - Advertisement
1 / 16
▼ Visual Countdown16 Verified Slides
⏱ ~6 Min Read
Swipe or tap ▶ to begin the countdown
©NASA / JPL-Caltech