Mars: The Red Planet's South Pole 'Swirls of Chocolate, Caramel and Cream' (PHOTO)

ESA's Mars Express has been investigating the surface of Mars and the atmosphere since 2003. We usually see Mars as a bright red ball, but that isn't always the case.

The frothy white in the photo is an icy cap made of frozen water and carbon dioxide. It isn't as smooth as it seems, being closer in appearance to Swiss cheese than anything creamier.

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ESA, European Space Agency, Mars Express, South pole, Carbon dioxide, Space, Photo, Mars, Red Planet, The Red Planet