Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Pavonis Wind Streaks
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-512, 13 October 2003
NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems |
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NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems |
This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) picture shows wind tails and streaks formed in fine sediment that mantles the upper southwest slopes of the equatorial volcano, Pavonis Mons. On the large martian volcanoes, winds tend to blow downslope. The streaks shown here are evidence of the powerful ability for the thin atmosphere over the martian volcanoes to transport sediment. This picture is located near 0.1°N, 113.8°W, and covers an area 3 km (1.9 mi) wide. The image is illuminated by sunlight from the lower 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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