29 May 2005
This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a surface in the south polar region, covered by carbon dioxide frost. In this springtime scene, the frost has begun to sublime or change character so that sandy surfaces exhibit an abundance of dark spots. The circular depression is probably the remains of an impact crater. In summer, the spotted surfaces in this image would be darker than their surroundings, because they are patches of windblown sand.
Location near
: 67.6°S, 254.3°W
Image width
: ~3 km (~1.9 mi
Illumination from
: upper left
Season
: Southern Spring
Name | Value | Additional Values |
---|---|---|
Target | Mars | |
System | ||
Target Type | Planet | |
Mission | Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) | |
Instrument Host | Mars Global Surveyor | |
Host Type | Orbiter | |
Instrument | Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) | |
Detector | ||
Extra Keywords | Atmosphere, Crater, Grayscale, Impact, Storm | |
Acquisition Date | ||
Release Date | 2005-05-29 | |
Date in Caption | 2005-05-29 | |
Image Credit | NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems | |
Source | photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA03921 | |
Identifier | PIA03921 |