PIA05455: The Answer is in the Crests and Troughs -2


The Answer is in the Crests and Troughs -2

Caption:

This microscopic image taken by the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit shows the tops or crests of the waves of windblown soil that characterize the surface of Gusev Crater, Mars. The coarse grains on the crests, combined with the finer grains observed in a similar microscopic image taken of the waves' troughs, indicate that the waves are geologic features known as ripples, and not dunes. Dunes contain a more uniform distribution of material. This information helps scientists better understand the winds that shape the landscape of Mars. The image was taken on the 41st martian day, or sol, of the rover's mission by its microscopic imager. The observed area is 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) across.

Cataloging Keywords:

Name Value Additional Values
Target Mars
System
Target Type Planet
Mission Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
Instrument Host Spirit (MER-A)
Host Type Rover
Instrument Microscopic Imager (MI)
Detector
Extra Keywords Crater, Dune, Grayscale
Acquisition Date
Release Date 2004-02-26
Date in Caption
Image Credit NASA/JPL/Cornell/USGS
Source photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA05455
Identifier PIA05455