Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera

Crater with Wind Streak

MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-401, 24 June 2003


NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a streak formed by wind in the lee of a meteor impact crater. The winds responsible for the streak and the numerous smaller "tails" behind small obstacles all indicate that regional winds blow from the right/upper right (northeast) toward the left/lower left (southwest). The crater is located near 13.7°S, 131.5°W. Sunlight illuminates the scene from the left/upper left.

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, California. 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, California and Denver, Colorado.

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