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Earth or Mars? Check Out the Eye of the Sahara From the ISS

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The Richat Structure above northwest Sahara – also referred to as the Eye of the Sahara – has been snapped by European Space Agency's Thomas Pesquet, who shared the aerial images on Twitter. Netizens were quick to point out that the photos resemble Mars' iconic red surface.

The Eye of the Sahara, aka the Richat Structure, is a geologic wonder viewable from space, and a favourite photo opportunity for astronauts. 

Recently, European Space Agency’s (ESA) Thomas Pesquet, who is currently working on the International Space Station (ISS), took a series of must-see pictures that show the reddish-orange landscape stretching beyond the horizon. Pesquet says it felt like he was flying over Mars. 

What's more interesting, the area was once rumoured to be the land of a mythological nation. In 2018, YouTube blogger Jimmy Bright insisted that the Richat Structure was the most likely location of Atlantis. Surprisingly, this theory has never been proven. 

Check out Sputnik's gallery to see Pesquet's jaw-dropping snaps. 

© Photo : Twitter account of Thomas PesquetScientists believe the stunning sight was formed due to subsurface flow pushing up overlying layers of sandstone and other rocks.
Вид из космоса на геологическое образование «Око Сахары», расположенное в Западной Африке - Sputnik International
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Scientists believe the stunning sight was formed due to subsurface flow pushing up overlying layers of sandstone and other rocks.
© Photo : Twitter account of Thomas Pesquet...so after the volcanism died down, wind and water erosion started to eat away at the domed layers of rock. As a result, the area began to collapse in on itself.
Фотография Ришата астронавта ЕКА Томаса Песке - Sputnik International
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...so after the volcanism died down, wind and water erosion started to eat away at the domed layers of rock. As a result, the area began to collapse in on itself.
© Photo : NASA/T. PesquetA collage of pictures showing the Richat Structure.
Вид из космоса на геологическое образование «Око Сахары», расположенное в Западной Африке - Sputnik International
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A collage of pictures showing the Richat Structure.
© Photo : ESA/NASA–T. PesquetAn aerial shot over the Eye of the Sahara, also known as the Richat Structure, which is located in western Africa.
Вид из космоса на геологическое образование «Око Сахары», расположенное в Западной Африке - Sputnik International
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An aerial shot over the Eye of the Sahara, also known as the Richat Structure, which is located in western Africa.
© Photo : Instagram account of Thomas PesquetA city on the northwest coast of Africa.
Порт в Западной Сахаре на фотографии астронавта ЕКА Томаса Песке - Sputnik International
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A city on the northwest coast of Africa.
© Photo : Twitter account of Thomas Pesquet"I had to do a double-take when I saw this view. Not Mars but our own amazing planet," Pesquet said.
Пустыня Сахара на фотографии астронавта ЕКА Томаса Песке - Sputnik International
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"I had to do a double-take when I saw this view. Not Mars but our own amazing planet," Pesquet said.
© Photo : Twitter account of Thomas PesquetIf there is one picture that is a cliché for astronauts in space, it is the the Eye of Sahara.
Фотография Ришата астронавта ЕКА Томаса Песке - Sputnik International
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If there is one picture that is a cliché for astronauts in space, it is the the Eye of Sahara.
© Photo : Twitter account of Thomas PesquetA breathtaking view of the Richat structure.
Вид на пустыню Сахара на фотографии астронавта ЕКА Томаса Песке - Sputnik International
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A breathtaking view of the Richat structure.
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