The clouds of Mars are in many ways similar to cirrus clouds on Earth, but not much thinner.. While our planet's clouds may contain water, the low temperatures and pressure of Mars only allow clouds of water ice (and CO2 ice) to form.. But these clouds are also quite thin due to the low content of water ice in the atmosphere of the Red Planet, according to SciTechDaily..

Studying clouds helps scientists understand Mars' atmosphere and how water cycles through it today. For example, how water vapor is transported by atmospheric circulation, and how temperature and water content change with altitude..

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Observations of the movement of clouds can also reveal the strength and direction of the wind high in the atmosphere.. Despite their thinness, these clouds affect the heating and cooling of the modern atmosphere.. In the past, they probably played a much larger role in maintaining heat, which allowed liquid water to exist on the surface of Mars..

Martian clouds show seasonal patterns. For several months around the northern summer solstice, orbiting spacecraft observe a lot of cloud activity between 10° south latitude and 30° north latitude.. The Perseverance rover is exploring the Lake Crater, located at about 18°N, giving scientists the opportunity to observe these clouds from the surface..

On sol 961 of its mission, the rover took the picture shortly before sunrise.

On it you can see thin clouds illuminated by the sun's rays..

The researchers note that they use a variety of instruments of the rover for observations. As a result, they can learn more about the composition of clouds, whether they block or scatter sunlight, and so on..

Scientists recently announced that the Curiosity rover found opal on the Red Planet, which may later be useful for future Martian missions.. But not as decoration, but as a potential source of water.