Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Sulci Gordii
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-776, 3 July 2004
NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems |
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NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems |
The Sulci Gordii are a grouping of ridges--almost like small, rocky mountains--located east of the giant volcano, Olympus Mons. This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a 3 km (1.9 mi) -wide portion of the Sulci Gordii region. The rugged hills and mountains have been mantled by a blanket of fine dust. Ripple-like dunes in the troughs between each hill or mountain have also been covered with dust, indicating that they are inactive in the present martian environment. This image is located near 21.2°N, 124.2°W. 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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