New Images from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Fissure near Cerberus Fossae with Tectonic Morphologies

The linearity of the volcanic vent shown in this HiRISE image, in conjunction with evidence of lava flow from the vent, suggests control by combined volcano-tectonic processes. (Enhanced color images are 1 km across.)

http://www.uahirise.org/ESP_034716_1875

Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

Source: University of Arizona, HiRISE site - HiClips

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Looking for Salts on Mars

Why are scientists interested in areas that contain salts on Mars? Simply put, salts usually form by evaporation of liquid water. (Enhanced color images are 1 km across.)

http://www.uahirise.org/ESP_034309_1485

Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

Source: University of Arizona, HiRISE site - HiClips

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Dunes on the Rim of the Hellas Impact Basin

Sand dunes like these seen in this image have been observed to creep slowly across the surface of Mars through the action of the wind. (Audio by Tre Gibbs. Enhanced color images are 1 km across.)

http://www.uahirise.org/ESP_034101_1385

Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

Source: University of Arizona, HiRISE site - HiClips

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Recent Volcanism in Valles Marineris

The possibility of recent volcanism inside Valles Marineris was first proposed decades ago based on Viking orbiter images, but the candidate volcanoes proved to be other features such as complex sand dunes when we studied them with higher-resolution images. (Audio by Tre Gibbs. Enhanced color images are 1 km across.)

http://www.uahirise.org/ESP_034131_1670

Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

Source: University of Arizona, HiRISE site - HiClips

[Dumpnuts]

These are wonderful images. This does make one wonder however. With images this precise & clear, how come people freakout every time there's a blurry picture of a rock labeled "craft", "base", "structure", "creature", etc.