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July 1, 1999: In late April
and early May of 1999, Mars was brighter and nearer to Earth
than at any time since 1990. Astronomers using the Hubble Space
Telescope took advantage of the close
encounter to capture some of the sharpest views yet of the
Red Planet. NASA is releasing these images to commemorate the
July 4th anniversary of the Mars
Pathfinder landing, one of the space agency's most celebrated
missions.
High resolution picturesAbove: Click on any of the four
pictures above for a striking high resolution view of that hemisphere
as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope. Each image is (approximately)
a 200KB jpg image with 200dpi resolution.
Hemisphere C is centered near another volcanic region known as Elysium. This area shows many small, dark markings that have been observed by the Hubble telescope and other spacecraft to change as a result of the movement of sand and dust across the Martian surface. In the upper left of this image, at high northern latitudes, a large chevron-shaped area of water ice clouds mark a storm front. Along the right limb, a large cloud system has formed around the Olympus Mons volcano. Hemisphere D features a dark area known as Syrtis Major, first seen telescopically by the astronomer Christiaan Huygens in the 17th century. Many small, dark, circular impact craters can be seen in this region, attesting to the Hubble telescope's ability to reveal fine detail on the planet's surface. To the south of Syrtis is a large circular feature called Hellas. Viking and more recently Mars Global Surveyor have revealed that Hellas is a large and deep impact crater. See for yourselfIf you would like to see Mars for
yourself on the 4th of July, it's easy! After sunset (or
around 9:30 p.m. local time) the Red Planet can be seen approximately
30 degrees above the southwestern horizon from mid-latitude sites
in the Northern hemisphere. The "Red Planet" will appear
just over 5 degrees to the left of the bright bluish star Spica.
Mars, shining brightly at magnitude -0.4, has a distinctive pumpkin
color. You won't discern as much detail as the HST, but it's
still a satisfying sight. |
Web Links |
Related Stories: The Red Planet in 3D -- New data from Mars Global Surveyor reveal the topography of Mars better than many continental regions on Earth. May 27, 1999 NASA NASA Science News Search for life on Mars will start in Siberia -- Russian and NASA scientists will look for life forms in the inhospitable realm of Siberian permafrost. May 27, 1999 NASA Science News Stormy weather on Mars -- During the recent close approach of Mars to Earth, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope spotted a gigantic storm swirling near the Red Planet's north pole. May 19, 1999 NASA NASA Science News Mars unveils a magnetic personality -- Plate tectonics on the Red Planet might have important consequences for ancient Martian life. Apr 30, 1999 NASA Science News Plate tectonics on Mars? -- Magnetic stripes on the surface of Mars are similar to fields in the sea floors of Earth. Apr 29, 1999 NASA Science News A close encounter with the Red Planet -- Mars makes its closest approach to Earth in 1999. Apr 23, 1999 NASA Science News A new face on Mars has scientists smiling -- MGS beams back pictures of the "Happy Face Crater". Mar. 12, 1999 NASA Space Science News Related Web Links: Mars weather, climate, and life FAQ -- from NASA/Ames What would happen to a dead body on Mars? -- NASA/Ames Quest Ask-a-Scientist query Mars Surveyor 2001 -- home page at JPL Mars Global Surveyor -- home page at JPL NASA Astrobiology -- an excellent website from NASA/Ames |
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