Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Rippled Mars
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-524, 25 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) image shows a rugged surface southwest of Huygens Basin that is covered by large windblown ripples or small dunes. Their orientations indicate that the responsible winds came from either the northwest (upper left) or southeast (lower right), or both. The more complex ripple patterns within the two large craters result from local topographic influences on the wind. This area is located near 20.1°S, 307.3°W. The picture covers an area about 3 km (1.9 mi) across and is illuminated by sunlight from the 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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