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Defrosting North Polar Dune Field

NASA's Mars Global Surveyor shows frost-covered north polar sand dunes in springtime as they are beginning to defrost. Dark spots and streaks indicate areas where frozen carbon dioxide has started to be removed by sublimation and wind.
PIA04460
Credits: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
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Description

MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-331, 15 April 2003

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image captures frost-covered north polar sand dunes in springtime as they are beginning to defrost. Dark spots and streaks indicate areas where frozen carbon dioxide has started to be removed by sublimation and wind. The picture covers an area 3 km (1.9 mi) wide near 76.3°N, 264.9°W. Sunlight illuminates the scene from the lower left.