Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Cerberus Fossae Trough
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-675, 24 March 2004
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 provides a look down into one of the long, dark, Cerberus Fossae troughs near 10.2°N, 202.6°W. Faulting and extension of the upper martian crust in this region has caused numerous troughs such as this to form. The trough walls expose layered bedrock that serves as a source for dark-toned debris that creates talus deposits. This picture covers an area about 3 km (1.9 mi) across. 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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