Click on image for larger version
This HiRISE image (PSP_004858_1670) shows a landslide scarp on the
northern wall of central Valles Marineris, a large canyon system
equivalent in length from California to New York.
The landslide has exposed a fresh wall of the canyon so that individual
layers of rock can be seen. The texture of these layers suggests that some
of the darker rock layers are more resistant to erosion than the lighter
layers. The variation in brightness and friability of the different layers
suggests compositional differences. These layers may have a volcanic
origin, having been deposited as ash layers, or a sedimentary origin,
either being deposited by water or blown by the wind (aeolian).
This image is a little hazy because this image was taken in August 2007,
when the large dust storm covered the surface of Mars and filled the
atmosphere with fine dust particles. The extra dust in the atmosphere
reflects more light into the camera.
Observation Toolbox
Acquisition date: 8 August 2007
Local Mars time: 2:31 PM
Degrees latitude (centered): -12.8°
Degrees longitude (East): 301.1°
Range to target site: 259.8 km (162.4 miles)
Original image scale range: 26.0 cm/pixel (with 1 x 1 binning) so
objects ~78 cm across are resolved
Map-projected scale: 25 cm/pixel and north is up
Map-projection: EQUIRECTANGULAR
Emission angle: 5.6°
Phase angle: 32.0°
Solar incidence angle: 37°, with the Sun about 53 ° above the horizon
Solar longitude: 292.6°, Northern Winter
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute
of Technology in Pasadena, manages the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter for
NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. Lockheed Martin Space
Systems, Denver, is the prime contractor for the project and built the
spacecraft. The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment is operated by
the University of Arizona, Tucson, and the instrument was built by Ball
Aerospace and Technology Corp., Boulder, Colo.