Rocky Martian Plain
Caption:
The rocky Martian plain surrounding Viking 2 is seen in high resolution in this 85-degree panorama sweeping from north at the left to east at right during the Martian afternoon on September 5. Large blocks litter the surface. Some are porous, sponge-like rocks like the one at the left edge (size estimate: 1 1/2 to 2 feet); others are dense and fine-grained, such as the very bright rounded block (1 to 1 1/2 feet across) toward lower right. Pebbled surface between the rocks is covered in places by small drifts of very fine material similar to drifts seen at the Viking 1 landing site some 4600 miles to the southwest. The fine-grained material is banked up behind some rocks, but wind tails seen by Viking 1 are not well-developed here. On the right horizon, flat-topped ridges or hills are illuminated by the afternoon sun. Slope of the horizon is due to the 8-degree tilt of the spacecraft.
Cataloging Keywords:
| Name |
Value |
Additional Values |
| Target |
Mars |
|
| System |
|
|
| Target Type |
Planet |
|
| Mission |
Viking |
|
| Instrument Host |
Viking 2 Lander |
|
| Host Type |
Lander |
|
| Instrument |
Camera 2 |
|
| Detector |
|
|
| Extra Keywords |
Grayscale |
| Acquisition Date |
|
| Release Date |
1997-01-08 |
| Date in Caption |
|
|
| Image Credit |
NASA/JPL |
| Source |
photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00364 |
| Identifier |
PIA00364 |
