By Dean Murray

Space scientists have shown off images of a white Christmas - on Mars.

Calling the scene a "winter wonderland", the European Space Agency (ESA) said the images were captured by their Mars Express spacecraft at the normally red planet's south pole.

The observations show an enigmatic landscape in the Australe Scopuli region of Mars' southern hemisphere.

ESA said Thursday (Dec. 18): "Here, swirls of carbon dioxide ice and dust layers wrap around the scene, turning the Red Planet white.

"The contrasting light and dark layers are particularly striking in the exposed faces of hills and valleys. They trace out the distinctive seasonal polar layered deposits characteristic of this region, formed as layers of ice freeze with varying amounts of dust trapped within.

"One can almost imagine the soft crunch of crisp snow underfoot, and a landscape bathed in a calming yellowy-orange hue as the Sun shines through ice- and dust-laden clouds."

The space agency compared the view to Earth's ski resorts with" a mixture of smooth, steep slopes and tight bends".

"Or perhaps you'd prefer a sleigh ride, but either way dress warm, because it's cold outside: -125°C," they add.

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