Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera

South Polar Layers

MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1188, 19 August 2005


NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows layered material exposed by erosion in the south polar region of Mars. At the time the image was acquired, the surface was covered with seasonal carbon dioxide frost. Dark spots and streaks indicate areas where the annual springtime defrosting process was underway.
Location near: 82.7°S, 112.1°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: upper left
Season: Southern Spring


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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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