Tag Archives: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

HiRISE: Layered features in brain terrain in Arabia Terra

Posted on November 5, 2018 by rburnham

Layered features in brain terrain in Arabia Terra. The objective of this observation is to determine the nature of a group of light-toned, layered structures in a vast field of brain terrain. Beautiful Mars series. [More at links]

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HiRISE: North flank of Ceti Mensa

Posted on November 2, 2018 by rburnham

The north flank of Ceti Mensa. There is some possible soft-sediment deformation in this area. The region has attracted attention because its deep red color in images collected by the Viking Orbiter mission during the 1970s. Beautiful Mars series. [More … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Geyser season

Posted on November 2, 2018 by rburnham

Springtime in the South Polar region of Mars is a season of exciting activity. The thick coating of carbon dioxide ice that accumulated over the winter begins to sublimate (turn to vapor) as the sun rises higher in the sky … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: A caldera’s steep slopes

Posted on November 1, 2018 by rburnham

This image shows part of the steep wall of the caldera (a large volcanic crater) at the top of Ascraeus Mons, one of Mars’ giant volcanoes. We can see chutes carved into the soft dust that has built up on … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: An ExoMars landing site

Posted on October 31, 2018 by rburnham

HiRISE plays an important role in finding suitable landing sites for future rover missions. Scientists have narrowed down the candidate landing sites for the upcoming European ExoMars rover mission to two regions: the plains of Oxia and Mawrth Vallis. Images … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Curving pits and ridges

Posted on October 30, 2018 by rburnham

This terrain is unusual for the South Polar region of Mars, with a set of curved ridges of unknown origin. Small pits are present, often concentrated on the ridges, that may have resulted from sublimation of ice. [More at link]

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HiRISE: Possible rock falls on steep slopes

Posted on October 29, 2018 by rburnham

Possible rock falls on steep slopes in Cerberus Fossae. Our goal here is to take “before” images at HiRISE resolution in order to identify fresh rockfalls that might be able to be associated with seismic events or Marsquakes detected by … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Like a lonely little isle

Posted on October 26, 2018 by rburnham

Like a lonely little isle. This image is in Mamers Valles, which is a winding canyon in the north of Mars, about 1000 kilometers in length. It likely formed about 3.8 billion years ago. Beautiful Mars series. [More at links]

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HiRISE: Monitoring frost in Corozal Crater

Posted on October 25, 2018 by rburnham

Monitoring frost in Corozal Crater. Corozal Crater has both active gullies and recurring slope lineae. We are monitoring the evolution of seasonal frost, which is the likely trigger for gully activity. Never mind the hulking shadow at the left. Beautiful … Continue reading →

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MARCI weather report, October 15-21, 2018

Posted on October 24, 2018 by rburnham

At the beginning of the week, hazes and clouds of dust continued along the defrosting seasonal south polar ice cap edge. Looking to the low-latitudes, orographic water ice clouds were spotted above Arsia Mons, the southernmost shield volcano of the … Continue reading →

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