Suggested Searches

1 Min Read

Cracked South Polar Plain

NASA's Mars Global Surveyor shows a complexly-cracked and eroded plain in the south polar region of Mars.
PIA04882
Credits: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Image Addition Date:
Target:
Is a satellite of:

Description

MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-551, 21 November 2003

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) picture shows a complexly-cracked and eroded plain in the south polar region of Mars. This image was acquired just a few weeks ago, in late October 2003; as such, the processes that formed the nearly regular pattern of squiggly troughs and cracks are presently unknown. The image is located near 85.0°S, 100.8°W, and covers an area 3 km (1.9 mi) wide. The picture is illuminated by sunlight from the upper left.