Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Work of Wind on Pavonis Mons
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-558, 28 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) picture presents a high resolution view of the thick, dust-mantled surface of the upper west flank of the volcano, Pavonis Mons. Strong slope winds move and redistribute some of the fine sediment on the surface of this volcano, creating a pattern of light and dark wind streaks. The cluster of craters near the center of the image, for example, have bright tails that indicate winds blew from the lower left (southwest) toward upper right (northeast). This image is located near 0.7°N, 113.4°W. The image covers an area 3 km (1.9 mi) wide, and is illuminated by sunlight from the left/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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