Mars Global Surveyor

[Waspie_Dwarf]

The Exploration of Mars -

Mars Global Surveyor

The original "Exploration of Mars" topic became excessively long. As a result the topic has been split into individual, mission based, topics. The "Exploration of Mars" topic is now for news and discoveries not specific to any one mission.

Links to the other topics can be found below:

• Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
  
• Mars Odyssey
  
• Mars Exploration Rovers
  
• Mars Express
  
• Mars Phoenix Lander
  
• Exploration of Mars

Waspie_Dwarf

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Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Mars at Ls 39°
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1422, 4 April 2006


Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

This picture is a composite of Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) daily global images acquired at Ls 39° during a previous Mars year. This month, Mars looks similar, as Ls 39° occurs in mid-April 2006. The picture shows the Tharsis face of Mars. Over the course of the month, additional faces of Mars as it appears at this time of year are being posted for MOC Picture of the Day. Ls, solar longitude, is a measure of the time of year on Mars. Mars travels 360° around the Sun in 1 Mars year. The year begins at Ls 0°, the start of northern spring and southern autumn.

Season: Northern Spring/Southern Autumn

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited March 30, 2007 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Mars at Ls 39°
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1429, 11 April 2006


Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

This picture is a composite of Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) daily global images acquired at Ls 39° during a previous Mars year. This month, Mars looks similar, as Ls 39° occurs in mid-April 2006. The picture shows the Acidalia/Mare Erythraeum face of Mars. Over the course of the month, additional faces of Mars as it appears at this time of year are being posted for MOC Picture of the Day. Ls, solar longitude, is a measure of the time of year on Mars. Mars travels 360° around the Sun in 1 Mars year. The year begins at Ls 0°, the start of northern spring and southern autumn.

Season: Northern Spring/Southern Autumn

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited April 27, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Mars at Ls 39°
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1443, 25 April 2006


Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

This picture is a composite of Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) daily global images acquired at Ls 39° during a previous Mars year. This month, Mars looks similar, as Ls 39° occurred in mid-April 2006. The picture shows the Elysium/Mare Cimmerium face of Mars. Over the course of the month, additional faces of Mars as it appears at this time of year are being posted for MOC Picture of the Day. Ls, solar longitude, is a measure of the time of year on Mars. Mars travels 360° around the Sun in 1 Mars year. The year begins at Ls 0°, the start of northern spring and southern autumn.

Season: Northern Spring/Southern Autumn

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited April 27, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Mars Maze
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1446, 28 April 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a plain southeast of Hebrus Valles that is cut by a network of intersecting troughs. Large, windblown—and perhaps wind-eroded ripples occur on the trough floors.

Location near: 14.9°N, 229.8°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: lower left
Season: Northern Winter

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Mars at Ls 53°
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1450, 2 May 2006


Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

This picture is a composite of Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) daily global images acquired at Ls 53° during a previous Mars year. This month, Mars looks similar, as Ls 53° occurs in mid-May 2006. The picture shows the Tharsis face of Mars. Over the course of the month, additional faces of Mars as it appears at this time of year are being posted for MOC Picture of the Day. Ls, solar longitude, is a measure of the time of year on Mars. Mars travels 360° around the Sun in 1 Mars year. The year begins at Ls 0°, the start of northern spring and southern autumn.

Season: Northern Spring/Southern Autumn

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Acidalia Plain
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1451, 3 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a relatively flat plain in Acidalia Planitia. The circular feature near the left (west) edge is the surface manifestation of a buried impact crater, a common feature observed on the northern plains of Mars. The darker feature is a younger, fresher impact crater—but, it too, has been somewhat buried beneath a mantle of material.

Location near: 53.1°N, 32.6°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: lower left
Season: Northern Winter

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Chryse Streak
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1454, 6 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a wind streak created in the lee—the downwind side—of a crater in far eastern Chryse Planitia. The winds responsible for the formation of the streak blew from the upper right (northeast) to the lower left (southwest).

Location near: 21.5°N, 27.4°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: lower left
Season: Northern Winter

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Polar Plumage
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1456, 8 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows dunes in the north polar region of Mars. The dunes in this scene are covered by a layer of carbon dioxide frost that accumulated during the winter in 2005. Dark spots indicate areas where frost has begun to sublime away. In summer, the dune field will be dark, as all of the frost will be gone and the iron- and magnesium-bearing silicate sands will be exposed.

Location near: 81.9°N, 226.1°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: lower left
Season: Northern Spring

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Mars at Ls 53°
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1457, 9 May 2006


Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

This picture is a composite of Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) daily global images acquired at Ls 53° during a previous Mars year. This month, Mars looks similar, as Ls 53° occurs in mid-May 2006. The picture shows the Acidalia/Mare Erythraeum face of Mars. Over the course of the month, additional faces of Mars as it appears at this time of year are being posted for MOC Picture of the Day. Ls, solar longitude, is a measure of the time of year on Mars. Mars travels 360° around the Sun in 1 Mars year. The year begins at Ls 0°, the start of northern spring and southern autumn.

Season: Northern Spring/Southern Autumn

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Filled Craters
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1459, 11 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows adjacent impact craters located north-northwest of the Acheron Fossae region of Mars. The two craters are of similar size and formed by meteor impacts. However, one is much more filled than the other, indicating that it is older. The surface of the material in the older, partially-filled crater has a texture similar to the crater's surroundings. The southern (bottom) crater is bowl-shaped and is also partially-filled, however, the filling material seems to be limited to the southern half of the crater.

Location near: 44.6°N, 128.4°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: lower left
Season: Northern Winter

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Acheron Trough
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1460, 12 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a portion of the floor and wall of a trough in the Acheron Fossae region of Mars. Mass movements of dry dust, which appears to mantle much of the scene, have created the dark slope streaks on the wall of the trough.

Location near: 37.5°N, 131.0°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: lower left
Season: Northern Winter

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Evros Vallis
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1461, 13 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a small portion of Evros Vallis, an ancient valley located south of the large impact basin, Schiaparelli. In this image, the walls and floor of the valley, as well as the adjacent upland, are all mantled by dust. In addition to the dust mantle, large, windblown ripples occur in low-lying areas, particularly on the valley floor. The ripples, also, have been covered by dust.

Location near: 12.7°S, 346.7°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: upper left
Season: Southern Autumn

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Union
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1462, 14 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows partially-filled collapse pits on the eastern flank of Alba Patera, a large volcano in northern Tharsis. The three pits near the bottom (south) of the image have collapsed to the point of coalescence, while the northern-most pit remains largely a separate entity.

Location near: 38.5°N, 103.8°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: lower left
Season: Northern Spring

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[frogfish]

Interesting pictures..

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Outer Dregs
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1463, 15 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows the very edge of the south polar residual cap of Mars. The bright areas, which appear somewhat like pieces of sliced Swiss cheese, are composed mainly of frozen carbon dioxide. The scarps around the edges of the carbon dioxide mesas have been retreating at a rate of roughly 3 meters (~3 yards) per martian year; in this case, exposing a darker surface that lies below.

Location near: 85.4°S, 88.6°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: upper left
Season: Southern Summer

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Mars at Ls 53°
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1464, 16 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

This picture is a composite of Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) daily global images acquired at Ls 53° during a previous Mars year. This month, Mars looks similar, as Ls 53° occurs in mid-May 2006. The picture shows the Syrtis Major face of Mars. Over the course of the month, additional faces of Mars as it appears at this time of year are being posted for MOC Picture of the Day. Ls, solar longitude, is a measure of the time of year on Mars. Mars travels 360° around the Sun in 1 Mars year. The year begins at Ls 0°, the start of northern spring and southern autumn.

Season: Northern Spring/Southern Autumn

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Into the Void
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1465, 17 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a portion of a chain of pits on a lava- and dust-covered plain northwest of Tharsis Tholus—one of the many volcanic constructs in the Tharsis region of Mars. Pit chains, such as this one, are associated with the collapse of surface materials into subsurface voids formed by faulting and expansion—or extension—of the bedrock.

Location near: 16.4°N, 92.6°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: lower left
Season: Northern Winter

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Side-by-Side
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1466, 18 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows neighboring networks of gullies in the northwest wall of a south middle-latitude crater west of Hellas Planitia. The faint crisscrossing streaks, also observed on the wall of the crater, are evidence of passing dust devils, a common phenomena in this region. The gullies might have formed by erosion caused by running water, mixed with debris.

Location near: 54.0°S, 337.1°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: upper left
Season: Southern Summer

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Candor Exposed
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1467, 19 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows outcrops of light-toned rock, interpreted to be sedimentary in origin, in east Candor Chasma. The exposures of light-toned rock are separated by areas of windblown ripples and dark sand.

Location near: 8.2°S, 64.7°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: upper left
Season: Southern Autumn

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
South Layers
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1468, 20 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows remnants of layered materials near the west rim of South Crater, Mars. The composition of these layered rocks is unknown—are they the remains of sedimentary rocks or accumulations of dust and ice? We'll probably not know until someone visits this area, perhaps centuries from now.

Location near: 77.4°S, 341.5°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: upper left
Season: Southern Summer

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Polar Shells
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1469, 21 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows sand dunes overlain by a layer of seasonal carbon dioxide frost in the north polar region of Mars. Sunlight illuminates the scene from the lower left, but slopes facing toward the upper right seem illuminated because of the thicker accumulation of frost on the slopes facing away from the sunlight.

Location near: 76.3°N, 264.3°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: lower left
Season: Northern Winter

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Tharsis Potluck
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1470, 22 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a portion of a dust-covered plain northwest of Jovis Tholus which is host to several overlapping, ancient lava flows and a channel containing streamlined features indicative of fluid flow.

Location near: 22.5°N, 122.3°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: lower left
Season: Northern Spring

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Mars at Ls 53°
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1471, 23 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

This picture is a composite of Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) daily global images acquired at Ls 53° during a previous Mars year. This month, Mars looks similar, as Ls 53° occurred in mid-May 2006. The picture shows the Elysium/Mare Cimmerium face of Mars. Over the course of the month, additional faces of Mars as it appears at this time of year are being posted for MOC Picture of the Day. Ls, solar longitude, is a measure of the time of year on Mars. Mars travels 360° around the Sun in 1 Mars year. The year begins at Ls 0°, the start of northern spring and southern autumn.

Season: Northern Spring/Southern Autumn

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Closing Window
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1472, 24 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows billowing clouds of dust rising from a storm southeast of Hellas Planitia. The dust storm in this case obscured the Mars Orbiter Camera's view of the martian surface.

Location near: 62.2°S, 259.0°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: upper left
Season: Southern Autumn

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Breaking Trail
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1473, 25 May 2006



Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Click on picture for high resolution image.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows gullies in the north wall of a crater south of Proctor Crater in Noachis Terra. To form, the gullies might have required liquid water. Dark streaks cutting across the scene were formed by passing dust devils.

Location near: 51.4°S, 331.4°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: upper left
Season: Southern Summer

Source: Malin Space Science Systems - Mars Global Surveyor Edited June 15, 2006 by Waspie_Dwarf