Tag Archives: High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment

60,000 orbits for MRO

Posted on May 15, 2019 by rburnham

NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter hit a dizzying milestone this morning: It completed 60,000 loops around the Red Planet at 10:39 a.m. PDT (1:39 p.m. EDT). On average, MRO takes 112 minutes to circle Mars, whipping around at about 2 miles … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Resistant lava and erosion

Posted on May 15, 2019 by rburnham

This image demonstrates the curious phenomenon called “topographic inversion.” The southern half of the picture is covered by a well-preserved lava flow. The flow stops just at the brink of descending a steep slope. Lava isn’t afraid of falling, so … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Pitted cones

Posted on May 7, 2019 by rburnham

Pitted cones. The objective of this observation is to examine if these cones are deformed along this ridge in Acidialia Planitia. HiRISE Picture of the Day archive. [More at links]

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HiRISE: Polygon variety pack

Posted on May 6, 2019 by rburnham

Polygon variety pack. The objective of this observation is to determine the nature of polygons of different sizes here in Gordii Dorsum. Who doesn’t like variety with his polygons? HiRISE Picture of the Day archive. [More at links]

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HiRISE: Layers and ridges along Huo Hsing Vallis

Posted on May 3, 2019 by rburnham

Layers and ridges along Huo Hsing Vallis. The objective of this observation is to examine layers and ridges along Huo Hsing Vallis. Layers are especially evident in buttes next to a crater. Many fine networks of ridges may be inverted … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Incipient chaos

Posted on May 2, 2019 by rburnham

Incipient chaos. The objective of this observation is to examine a possible early stage of chaos formation. The ground seems to be collapsing, forming mesas and a large channel that connects with Shalbatana Vallis. HiRISE Picture of the Day archive. … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Layers along a channel in Arabia Terra

Posted on May 1, 2019 by rburnham

Layers along a channel in Arabia Terra. The objective of this observation is to examine a set of dipping layers along the west wall of a channel. We are also able to see layers in the east wall of the … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Majestic slopes and ridges

Posted on April 26, 2019 by rburnham

Majestic slopes and ridges. The objective of this observation is to take a closer look at recurring slope lineae-like features and confirm if they are actually present. Additionally, we previously had no HiRISE coverage of this particular spot. The sheer … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Blocks and troughs

Posted on April 24, 2019 by rburnham

Blocks and troughs. This region in Margaritifer Chaos is located in a system of finger-like rifts and cracked surface stretching south from what appear to be three impact craters. The interaction/relation between these valleys and their neighboring craters could be … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Side by side

Posted on April 23, 2019 by rburnham

Side by side. The objective of this observation is to examine a small channel that has cut through a crater north of Hellas Planitia. HiRISE Picture of the Day archive. [More at links]

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