PIA00930: MGS Approach Image - 262.3° W Longitude


MGS Approach Image - 262.3° W Longitude

Caption:

This view of Mars shows the broad Elysium plains (light area in center half of picture) "sandwiched" between the dark Utopia plains to the north and the dark diagonal boundary between the Elysium plains and the Tritonis and Cimmerium highlands. The light area near the center of the illuminated planet is the Elysium volcanic center; the bright feature near the edge of the volcanic center is probably a morning cloud. The large impact basin Hellas can be seen at the very bottom of the image; its bland gray appearance suggests that it is filled by fogs and hazes associated with the south polar cap.

Background Info:

Malin Space Science Systems and the California Institute of Technology built the MOC using spare hardware from the Mars Observer mission. MSSS operates the camera from its facilities in San Diego, CA. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory operates the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft with its industrial partner, Lockheed Martin Astronautics, from facilities in Pasadena, CA and Denver, CO.

Cataloging Keywords:

Name Value Additional Values
Target Mars Triton
System Neptune
Target Type Planet Satellite
Mission Mars Global Surveyor (MGS)
Instrument Host Mars Global Surveyor
Host Type Orbiter
Instrument Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC)
Detector
Extra Keywords Atmosphere, Dust, Grayscale, Haze, Impact, Volcano
Acquisition Date
Release Date 1997-09-10
Date in Caption
Image Credit NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Source photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00930
Identifier PIA00930