Mars Orbiter Captures Rare View of Ancient Volcano Poking Above the Clouds
Floating in orbit above Mars, NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter captured a panorama of the Red Planet's biggest volcanoes, Arsia Mons, peeking over a sea of clouds. The picturesque moment offers an exceptionally rare view of a Martian volcano, showing the landform at an angle in space that captures the planet's horizon.
'We picked Arsia Mons hoping we would see the summit poke above the early morning clouds. And it didn't disappoint,' Jonathon Hill, the operations lead for Odyssey's camera and a mission planner at Arizona State University's Mars Space Flight Facility, called the Thermal Emission Imaging System, or THEMIS, said in a statement. THEMIS can view Mars in both visible and infrared light.
Launched in 2001, Odyssey has been circling around Mars for over two decades, studying the Martian surface. But in 2023, the orbiter began taking breathtaking panoramic views of the Martian horizon. Because THEMIS can't pivot to get these stunning views, the orbiter flips on its side, rotating a full 90 degrees. That way, it captured Mars' 'limb,' the edge of the planet's horizon. This is THEMIS' fourth limb observation since 2023.
Odyssey captured the image on May 2, just before dawn. In it, Arsia Mons stands 12 miles (20 kilometers) high and measures 70 miles (450 km) in diameter. For comparison, Earth's tallest volcano, Mauna Loa, stands 6 miles (9 km) above the seafloor and measures 75 miles (121 km) in diameter.
Arsia Mons is also one of Mars' cloudiest volcanoes and the southernmost of the three Tharsis volcanoes that form Tharsis Montes, or Tharsis Mountains. These mountains are often surrounded by water ice clouds, particularly early in the morning. The clouds form when air expands as it blows up the sides of the mountain and then rapidly cools.
This view also allows scientists to study Martian weather and phenomena like dust clouds and how they change over the course of the seasons. Odyssey might be able to capture a few more of these panoramas before its eventual retirement, likely at the end of this year.
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The earlier the disease is detected, the better its progression may be slowed. Some symptoms may manifest years in advance. Below is an overview of early and prodromal Parkinson's symptoms. While most clinicians routinely ask about sleep or gastrointestinal function, the following list may help prompt more targeted follow-up when suspicion arises. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) Sleep disturbances are often mentioned as early Parkinson's symptoms, but the specific disorder — REM sleep behavior disorder — is frequently overlooked. Unlike insomnia or sleep maintenance issues, RBD involves vivid dreaming accompanied by physical movements, such as shouting, punching, or kicking during sleep, often affecting the sleep partner. RBD occurs in about 0.5%-1% of the population, rising to 5% in those older than 60 years. Importantly, it is considered a prodromal condition for Parkinson's: 80% of those affected may go on to develop the disease within 15 years. Patients reporting these symptoms should be monitored regularly for neurologic changes. In clinical history-taking, ask specifically about vivid dreams, violent movements during sleep, or vocalizations. Though often dismissed as quirky or anecdotal, recurring incidents should raise red flags. Constipation Parkinson's doesn't begin with tremors or slowed movement. Nonmotor symptoms, especially gastrointestinal issues, often appear first. The disease affects the autonomic nervous system, including the enteric nervous system that regulates bowel motility. There is evidence that pathological changes — such as alpha-synuclein accumulation — begin in the gut and olfactory bulb before affecting the brain, aligning with the Braak hypothesis. These protein aggregates can cause constipation or olfactory dysfunction long before motor symptoms emerge. Studies suggest chronic constipation can precede a Parkinson's diagnosis by 10-20 years. Up to 75% of patients with Parkinson's experience it. While constipation alone is nonspecific, it gains significance when combined with other prodromal signs. Constipation should raise concern in these contexts: Persistent, unexplained symptoms. Co-occurrence with other early signs such as: Loss of smell (hyposmia). REM sleep behavior disorder. Depressed mood. Fatigue or lack of motivation. Family history of Parkinson's. Olfactory Dysfunction Loss of smell, either partial (hyposmia) or total (anosmia), is another early and often unnoticed sign. Patients may have difficulty detecting even strong odors like coffee, bananas, or pickles. In Parkinson's, misfolded alpha-synuclein protein aggregates disrupt brain regions, including those responsible for olfaction. These changes may impair neuron function and contribute to early sensory loss. Animal studies suggest alpha-synuclein may behave like a prion — spreading through neural pathways. Trials are ongoing to determine whether monoclonal antibodies such as prasinezumab could help degrade these protein aggregates. Micrographia As Parkinson's disrupts dopamine pathways, it impairs fine motor control. Writing — a highly complex motor task — often becomes affected. Reduced movement amplitude can lead to smaller, cramped handwriting known as micrographia. Micrographia is a typical, though not universal, early motor sign and may precede other motor symptoms. It often appears alongside other signs like a softer, monotone voice or reduced arm swing while walking — both early signs of extrapyramidal dysfunction. Classic Motor Signs: TRAP Parkinson's is commonly associated with: Tremor : A resting tremor, typically 4-8 Hz, which diminishes with movement (unlike intention tremor). : A resting tremor, typically 4-8 Hz, which diminishes with movement (unlike intention tremor). Rigidity : Muscle stiffness is often described as 'cogwheel rigidity' due to a ratcheting resistance during passive limb extension. : Muscle stiffness is often described as 'cogwheel rigidity' due to a ratcheting resistance during passive limb extension. Akinesia/bradykinesia : Slowness or poverty of movement, including 'freezing' episodes that require verbal cues to initiate or stop movement. : Slowness or poverty of movement, including 'freezing' episodes that require verbal cues to initiate or stop movement. Postural instability: Impaired balance and increased risk of falls, not due to cerebellar, visual, or vestibular dysfunction. Postural instability is now recognized as a cardinal sign in the TRAP framework. Damage to extrapyramidal reflexes means patients may be unable to catch themselves when off balance. Additional Early Signs Depression and anxiety : Often overlooked or misdiagnosed as primary psychiatric conditions. : Often overlooked or misdiagnosed as primary psychiatric conditions. Reduced facial expression (hypomimia) : 'Masked' appearance due to reduced facial muscle movement. : 'Masked' appearance due to reduced facial muscle movement. Diffuse pain : Especially in the shoulders, back, or arms, sometimes preceding motor signs. : Especially in the shoulders, back, or arms, sometimes preceding motor signs. Fatigue : Persistent lack of energy not relieved by rest. : Persistent lack of energy not relieved by rest. Reduced arm swing: Subtle early sign of movement asymmetry. When to Refer for Neurological Evaluation None of these symptoms alone confirm Parkinson's disease, as many are nonspecific or seen in other conditions. However, the presence of multiple early signs — especially the combination of REM sleep behavior disorder, olfactory loss, constipation, or family history — should prompt further evaluation. Referral should ideally be made to a neurologist specializing in movement disorders. A thorough neurologic exam, smell testing, sleep studies (polysomnography), and imaging (eg, DaT SCAN) may be warranted. Summary Table. Common Early and Prodromal Parkinson's Symptoms Symptom Description Frequency Lead Time Before Diagnosis Olfactory dysfunction (hyposmia) Reduced sense of smell; often the first sign, typically unnoticed Very common 5-15 years RBD Acting out dreams (eg, shouting, punching, or kicking) Common 10-15 years Depression, anxiety Mood disturbance, social withdrawal, loss of interest Common 5-10 years Constipation Reduced bowel motility; often chronic Common 10-20 years Pain (shoulders, back, or limbs) Diffuse musculoskeletal pain Common Can occur early Fatigue Chronic low energy not improved by sleep Moderate-common Years before diagnosis TRAP Classic cardinal signs (TRAP), often asymmetric at onset Very common Early symptom Micrographia Small, cramped handwriting Common Early symptom Hypomimia Mask-like facial expression Common Early symptom Reduced arm swing Asymmetry in arm movement while walking Common Early symptom RBD = rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder; TRAP = tremor, rigidity, akinesia, and postural instability Identifying these signs early and recognizing meaningful combinations — not isolated symptoms — can help clinicians initiate earlier referral and intervention, potentially altering the disease trajectory.
