HiRISE 3D: In the Martian North Pole

The original title of this observation was: “North Polar Basal Unit Exposure.” Let’s just also call it WOW.

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_036862_2645
NASA/JPL/UArizona
#Mars #science

HiPOD 9 Mar 2022: Wonderland of the Mawrth Vallis Region

The Mawrth Vallis region of Mars reveals some of the most colorful layered sedimentary rocks on Mars. There are ongoing debates about how these clay-rich deposits formed on very ancient Mars, more than 3 billion years ago.

More: https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_072610_2030
NASA/JPL/UArizona
#Mars #science #NASA

HiRISE 4K: Landforms on the South Polar Residual Cap

This HiRISE image is located on the carbon-dioxide rich residual south polar ice cap. These rounded landforms evolve relatively quickly and erode into the surface of the ice cap, approximately 4 to 5 meters (15 feet) per year.

https://flic.kr/p/2n7gKnq
NASA/JPL/UArizona
#Mars #science

HiRISE 3D: An Inlet Valley at Jezero Crater

Our goal is to study any changes to the morphology of the valley, and to generate a digital terrain model for a cross-section analysis.

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_068228_1990
NASA/JPL/UArizona

HiPOD 8 Mar 2022: Stratigraphy of Aeolis Mons in Gale Crater

The purpose of this image is to study features similar to those being explored by the Curiosity rover. The rover will not be able to drive to this location, but the study of similar features at a different location can provide the context needed to interpret the geologic history.

Previously dubbed Mount Sharp, Aeolis Mons rises approximately 5.5 kilometers above the floor of the crater.

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_072578_1745
NASA/JPL/UArizona

HiRISE 3D: A Sinuous Ridge in Aeolis Dorsa

Our goal is to examine details of the sedimentary structure, and seek better understanding of percentage of fluvial sediment against the substrate that might have formed the ridge.

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_071826_1740
NASA/JPL/UArizona

HiPOD: Megabreccia on the Floor of Luba Crater

Megabreccia (large jumbled rock fragments) form from energetic events such as impacts and landslides, and are commonly found near the central peaks and pits of impact craters on Mars.

The fragments typically have diverse colors and textures, indicating diverse rock types. It is not clear if the megabreccia formed from the Luba Crater impact event itself, or if the impact event uplifted and exposed older megabreccia.

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_072545_1615

HiRISE 3D: Chaotic Terrain in Xanthe Terra

The more coverage in 3D, the better it is for everyone!

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_051774_1780
NASA/JPL/UArizona
#Mars #science

HiPOD 4 Mar 2022: Impact-Related Flows in Margaritifer Terra

Our rationale for acquiring this image it to observe how the surface flow patterns in the area vary with distance from the crater. This is one of several flow feature observations suggested in the vicinity of the well-preserved crater to the south. Margaritifer Terra is centered just south of the Martian equator and with chaotic terrain, outflow channels and alluvial plains.

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_069643_1605
NASA/JPL/UArizona
#Mars #science

HiRISE 3D: Cones and Rifts in Utopia Planitia

Our objective is to increase stereo mosaic coverage of this region, which also looks interesting in Context Camera images. This complements today’s HiPOD.

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_068148_2110
NASA/JPL/UArizona

HiPOD 3 Mar 2022: A Subtle Scarp South of the Tianwen-1 Landing Site

This observation completes a stereo pair and is targeted to image a subtle scarp. What caused this topographic step? Is it the margin of a flow of wet sediments or lava? Or did the lower portion collapse, perhaps following the eruption of subsurface materials?

More: https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_072579_2050
NASA/JPL/UArizona
#Mars #science #NASA

HiRISE 3D: Layering in Western Arabia Terra

A simple proposition if you will: to measure bedding thickness of these layered deposits.

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_071845_1900
NASA/JPL/UArizona

HiPOD 2 Mar 2022: In the Nilosyrtis Region

At the end of the Martian highlands is the Nilosyrtis region. Here, the highlands break up into isolated peaks and mesas in a transition zone scientists call the crustal dichotomy. In some places, sedimentary layers contain water-altered clay minerals. These may preserve traces of ancient life, and is one of the reasons scientists keep it on a list of potential landing sites for future rover exploration.

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_069640_2095
NASA/JPL/UArizona

HiRISE 4K: Polygonal Dunes

Polygons are of great interest because they often indicate the presence of shallow ice or of desiccation such as in a mud flat. However, Nature sometimes seems too clever for us. (Click link for full

https://flic.kr/p/2n6bked
NASA/JPL/UArizona

HiRISE 3D: A Fluvial Feature South of Candidate ExoMars Landing Site

The rationale for this observation is to acquire upstream coverage of a fluvial feature that enters into the ExoMars landing site in Oxia Planum

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_072017_1975
NASA/JPL/UArizona

HiPOD 1 Mar 2022: Wallrock and Layering Contact

One factor that helps when submitting an image request is there is any previous coverage. In this location in west Candor Chasma, we don’t have any from the Mars Orbiter Camera, so we can take a fresh look at look at the contact between wallrock and light-toned layering. We can later make a 3D picture to measure the thickness of the layering.

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_069672_1750
NASA/JPL/UArizona
#Mars #science #NASA

HiRISE 3D: Mawrth Vallis Stratigraphy

This observation shows light and dark toned layering exposed in the margins of impact crater, also visible in A Context Camera image.

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_072109_2015
NASA/JPL/UArizona

HiPOD 28 Feb 2022: Mounds and Pits East of Bamberg Crater

The objective of this observation is to determine the nature of a group of mounds, some of which have small pits at their summits. These features may be caused by ground ice melting and possibly turning into steam. They are barely visible in Context Camera image, so our camera’s resolution can help us to determine how they were formed.

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_069669_2220
NASA/JPL/UArizona
#Mars #science #NASA

HiRISE 3D: Terraced Mesas in Mamers Valles

Mamers Valles originates near Cerulli Crater in northern Arabia Terra, and after a short section near the crater where flow is to the south, flows northward to empty in Deuteronilus Mensae. The steep walls of Mamers Valles can reach heights of 1200 meters.

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_035763_2195
NASA/JPL/UArizona

HiPOD 25 Feb 2022: A Ridge in Arabia Terra

The objective of this observation is to examine a straight ridge that might be a dike. Sometimes magma (molten rock) below the surface may fill an existing fracture, even pushing the fracture open in the process. As the magma cools, it solidifies into a tabular rock mass, and that resulting cooled volcanic rock is called a dike.

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_065300_2100
NASA/JPL/UArizona
#Mars #science #NASA