Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Layers in West Candor Chasma
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-265A, 4 December 2000
This is a portion of the first image acquired by the Mars Global
Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) that hinted at a larger
story of layered sedimentary rock on Mars. Obtained during the first
month that MGS was in its mapping orbit, March 1999, this picture
shows an area in southwestern Candor Chasma (near 6.4°S 77.1°W)
of extensive outcroppings of layers with regular thickness. Each layer
is about 10 m (11 yds) thick and suggests a dynamic depositional
environment as might be found in a body of water. The picture is
illuminated from the upper left. For additional information about
this picture, see
"Layered Outcrops of Far West Candor Chasma," MOC2-259, December 4, 2000.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
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's Mars Surveyor Operations Project
operates the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft with its industrial
partner, Lockheed Martin Astronautics, from facilities in Pasadena, CA
and Denver, CO.
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