Description

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Context

NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter obtained a stunning photograph of Arsia Mons, one of Mars' greatest volcanoes.

Location	Tharsis region, near Mars’ equator
Volcanic Chain	Part of the Tharsis Montes trio: Pavonis Mons, Ascraeus Mons, and Arsia Mons
Height	Approximately 20 km (12 miles)
Diameter	Around 450 kilometres
Summit Caldera	Measures 120 kilometres across
Volcano Type	Shield volcano (gentle slopes formed by lava flows)
Surface Features	Lava channels, landslides, signs of ancient glaciers
Cloud Activity	Regular water-ice clouds near summit; prominent at sunrise and during aphelion

Recent Imaging: NASA has released a new photograph of Arsia Mons penetrating through morning haze, providing scientists with a horizon-level perspective of Martian terrain.
Scientific significance: Observations assist researchers in analyzing Martian weather, seasonal climate patterns, and atmospheric behaviour.
Mission Importance: Arsia Mons is critical for understanding Mars' volcanic history, dust storm creation, and determining future landing sites.
Exploration Support: Data from this region improves planetary weather models and aids in the safe planning of future robotic and human expeditions.

Practice Question:
Q. The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO

is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Options:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer:
(c) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Mangalyaan is officially known as the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM).
Statement 2 is incorrect: India was the fourth space agency (after USA, USSR/Russia, and European Space Agency) to reach Mars orbit, not the second.
Statement 3 is correct: India became the first country to successfully place a spacecraft in Mars orbit on its maiden attempt.