Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Olympica Fossae
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-534, 4 November 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 picturesque view of terrain in the Olympica Fossae region of Mars. This valley system is known for having a complex array of landforms thought to have been carved by water, cut by faulting, and covered by lava flows and windblown dust. The view shown here includes a look at some of the layered bedrock exposed by the forces that created the valley. The dark dots on the floors of the valleys are large boulders that have rolled down the slopes. Much of this scene has been mantled by fine, bright dust; dark streaks on the slopes indicate places where some of this dust has slid. This picture is located near 24.5°N, 115.9°W. The image covers an area 3 km (1.9 mi) across and 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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