Category Archives: Reports

HiRISE: Dune footprints in Hellas Planitia

Posted on June 12, 2019 by rburnham

These curious chevron shapes in southeast Hellas Planitia are the result of a complex story of dunes, lava, and wind. Long ago, there were large crescent-shaped (barchan) dunes that moved across this area, and at some point, there was an … Continue reading →

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THEMIS: The graben of Ceraunius Fossae

Posted on June 12, 2019 by rburnham

THEMIS Image of the Day, June 12, 2019. This VIS image shows part of Cerunius Fossae. The linear depressions are fault bounded features called graben. These features form from tectonic forces that are pulling apart the surface, created space for … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Roving the clay-enriched plains

Posted on June 11, 2019 by rburnham

Sol 2432, June 10, 2019. After a lengthy drive across the pebbled surface, Curiosity is parked near low outcroppings of bedrock. Click either image to enlarge it. Sol 2432 raw images (from all cameras).  

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HiRISE: Rhythmic layers east of Medusae Fossae

Posted on June 11, 2019 by rburnham

The surface of this image looks wavy, like that of the sea. These wave shapes are the result of erosion: the removal of material, which has been ongoing for millions, if not billions, of years. This erosion is likely performed … Continue reading →

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THEMIS: Rough ground in Nilosyrtis

Posted on June 11, 2019 by rburnham

THEMIS Image of the Day, June 11, 2019. Today’s VIS image is located on the margin of the Terra Sabaea highlands and the Nilosyrtis Mensae lowlands. The drop off is very steep – about 18,000 ft. This “edge” circles the … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Punctuated sleep for Curiosity

Posted on June 10, 2019 by rburnham

Sols 2431-33, June 8, 2019, update by MSL scientist Mark Salvatore: After yesterday’s 47 meter drive, Curiosity awoke to a much different landscape than she had been analyzing over the past week. Instead of the beautifully exposed sedimentary bedrock that … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Tooting Crater ejecta

Posted on June 10, 2019 by rburnham

In this picture we can see a huge tongue-like form, which looks a like a mudflow with boulders on its surface. This “tongue” is only a small part of a larger deposit that completely surrounds Tooting Crater (not visible in … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Makin’ tracks

Posted on June 10, 2019 by rburnham

Sols 2429-30, June 7, 2019. After driving 47 meters (154 feet) east, Curiosity halted and mission controllers directed the Mastcam (34mm lens) to shoot a five-frame composite looking forward (above). The next (martian) day, the right-side Hazcams shot the scene … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Wisps

Posted on June 10, 2019 by rburnham

Wisps. This rough terrain with prominent, wispy dust streaks is within Mangala Valles. Mangala Valles is a complex system of criss-crossing channels on Mars, located in the Tharsis region. HiRISE Picture of the Day archive. [More at links]

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THEMIS: Summit caldera of Arsia Mons

Posted on June 10, 2019 by rburnham

THEMIS Image of the Day, June 10, 2019. Today’s VIS image shows part of the summit caldera of Arsia Mons. Arsia Mons is the southernmost of the three large Tharsis volcanoes. Extensive lava plains originated from eruptions of this volcano. … Continue reading →

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