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Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera

Bits and Pieces

MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1559, 19 August 2006

Medium-sized view of MGS MOC Picture of the Day, updated daily
NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows the contact between an area of light-toned rock and an expanse of darker-toned materials on the floor of Coprates Chasma. Remnants—bits and pieces—of the light-toned material are scattered throughout the scene, indicating that this material once covered everything in this area. Coprates is one of several chasms that comprise the giant Valles Marineris trough system.
Location near: 13.2°S, 61.8°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: upper left
Season: Southern Autumn


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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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