PIA04197: Meridiani Crater


Meridiani Crater

Caption:

31 August 2005
This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a crater formed in light-toned, layered, sedimentary rocks in Meridiani Planum. This crater is located approximately 55 kilometers (~34 miles) southwest of the Mars Exploration Rover, Opportunity, site. Erosion of sedimentary rock layers around the crater rim has caused an uneven retreat, resulting in the formation of U-shaped alcoves where undermining and collapse have occurred. Dark material in this scene is probably sand and granules, similar to the dark surfaces explored by the Opportunity rover.

Location near : 3.1°S, 5.8°W
Image width : width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from : lower left
Season : Southern Spring

Cataloging Keywords:

Name Value Additional Values
Target Mars
System
Target Type Planet
Mission Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
Instrument Host Mars Global Surveyor Opportunity (MER-B)
Host Type Orbiter Rover
Instrument Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC)
Detector
Extra Keywords Crater, Grayscale
Acquisition Date
Release Date 2005-08-31
Date in Caption 2005-08-31
Image Credit NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Source photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA04197
Identifier PIA04197