Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Sediments of Ophir
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-579, 19 December 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, acquired in December 2003, shows light-toned sedimentary rocks (bottom half of image) and dark-toned sand dunes and ripples (top half of image). The light-toned, wind-eroded rocks are formed of ancient sediments; while the dark-toned, wind-blown dunes and ripples are modern sediments. This picture is located in Ophir Chasma near 4.4°S, 71.1°W. The image covers an area 3 km (1.9 mi) wide; sunlight illuminates the scene 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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