Tag Archives: High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment

HiRISE: Layers in Danielson Crater

Posted on September 6, 2019 by rburnham

This image shows sedimentary rock and sand within Danielson Crater, an impact crater 67 kilometers in diameter, located in the southwest Arabia Terra region of Mars. The rock was formed millions or billions of years ago when loose sediments settled … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Frost highlights in springtime

Posted on September 5, 2019 by rburnham

This image of a crater rim strikingly shows what appear to be bright white flows coming from gullies in the crater wall. However, HiRISE has been watching these gullies for some time (going all the way back to our first … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Bedrock riddles of Nili Fossae

Posted on September 4, 2019 by rburnham

This image of the Nili Fossae region, to the west of the great Isidis basin, shows layered bedrock with many impact craters. Nili Fossae is one of the most mineralogically important sites on Mars. Remote observations by the infrared spectrometer … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Avalanche season

Posted on September 3, 2019 by rburnham

Every spring the sun shines on the side of the stack of layers at the North Pole of Mars known as the north polar layered deposits. The warmth destabilizes the ice and blocks break loose. When they reach the bottom … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Raindrops of sand in Copernicus Crater

Posted on August 31, 2019 by rburnham

Raindrops of sand in Copernicus Crater. The dark features here look like raindrops, but are actually sand dunes rich in the mineral olivine. These types of dunes are rare on Earth as olivine rapidly weathers to clays in a wet … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Stairway to Danielson

Posted on August 30, 2019 by rburnham

Stairway to Danielson. Previous images showed possible recurring slope lineae here in Danielson Crater. Additional images are needed to confirm their existence, but it’s the stair-stepped layers that also capture our attention for their stark beauty. HiRISE Picture of the … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Two flows

Posted on August 29, 2019 by rburnham

Two flows. The objective of this observation is to examine two flows near the base of a mound. There seem to be a number of flows like these in the region. Reull Vallis is believed to have formed when running … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: A beveled circular feature

Posted on August 28, 2019 by rburnham

A beveled circular feature. This very interesting, beveled and flat circular surface is surrounded by craters. It is itself a pedestal crater or could it be a small ancient volcano? High resolution can afford us a closer look at the … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Hellas Planitia ridge network

Posted on August 27, 2019 by rburnham

A ridge network in Hellas Planitia. The objective of this observation is to examine a ridge network that seems to be forming from an upper layer of material. There are many exposures of ridges in this location, and this spot … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Into the dune database

Posted on August 26, 2019 by rburnham

Into the dune database. Dunes are particularly suited to comprehensive planetary studies because they are abundant over a wide range of elevations and terrain types. Observations like this one are used to aid in classification and volume estimates of dunes … Continue reading →

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