Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Pavonis Slope Streaks
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-986, 29 January 2005
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 several large, dark slope streaks formed on the wall of a trough on the lower north flank of the giant Tharsis shield volcano, Pavonis Mons. The layered rock in the upper wall of the slope shown here is probably volcanic (lava flows). The ancient lava flows and the troughs cut through them have been thickly mantled by windblown dust. From time to time, dry dust avalanches will create streaks such as those shown here. This scene is located near 4.1°N, 111.5°W, and has been rotated such that north is toward the bottom, west to the right. Sunlight illuminates the scene from the right/lower right. The picture covers an area approximately 0.8 km (1/2 mile) wide by about 1.7 km (~1 mile) long.
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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