HiPOD: The Little Pit

This image was acquired to determine if any underlying void (open fracture or normal fault) and associated faults can be observed in this part of Arsia Mons. Pits may reflect geologically-recent tectonic or volcanic activity. Any associated caves could be targets for future robotic exploration. The pit is only a few meters across.

ID: ESP_075251_1775
date: 15 August 2022
altitude: 256 km

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_075251_1775
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
#Mars #science #NASA

HiRISE 3D: Layered Deposits North of Jiji Crater

Layered deposits visible at Context Camera resolution in this location may be linked to more extensive deposits directly south within Jiji Crater.

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_082592_1890_ESP_082671_1890_RED

NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona

#Mars #science #3D

HiPOD: Knobs and Valleys in Acidalia Planitia

This image features mounds and hummocky/fretted terrain of similar formation as those in far eastern Acidalia Planitia, but are not common on Mars, and may be the edge of an ancient basin. An additional rationale for this observation is to create a gigapixel mosaic of this area, which has received sparse coverage so far.

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_075248_2215
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
#Mars #science #NASA

Mars Might Have an Asteroid Problem – https://www.popsci.com/science/mars-asteroids/

HiRISE 3D: An Outcrop in Athabasca Valles Lava

This image was taken to finish up stereo mosaic of this scaly outcrop (possible result of invasive lava). Parts of the outcrop are surrounded by what looks like an inflationary margin, but here it looks like some of the scaly blocks might be embedded within the flow. What was the sequence of events?

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_082270_1880_ESP_082705_1880_RED
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona

HiPOD: Mounds on the Floor of Kashira Crater

Light-toned mounds on the floor of Kashira Crater exhibit signature of aluminum-phyllosilicates or hydroxylated silica in CRISM multispectral data. Mars Orbiter Camera images show networks of ridges on the mound surfaces, possibly resistant fractures resulting from alteration or cementation by fluids. Some surfaces have a polygonal texture.

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_029053_1525
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
#Mars #science #NASA

HiRISE 3D: Possible Scour Pits adjacent to Yardangs in Southwest Olympus Mons

These features are much smaller than usual scour pits. It has been hypothesized before that scour pits could be related to yardangs, but overall, scour pits and their relationship to the Medusae Fossae Formation are not well understood.

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_082597_1890_ESP_082821_1890_RED
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona

HiPOD: A Crater adjacent to Mawrth Vallis

What is striking about this observation are the very high thermal-infrared contrasts that should provide a good look at the stratigraphy of this clay-rich region. This mineral diversity here might be of interest as a site for future exploration.

ID: ESP_075234_2035
date: 14 August 2022
altitude: 285 km

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_075234_2035
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
#Mars #science #NASA

HiRISE 3D: A Cluster of Mounds in Terra Cimmeria

This cluster of mounds exhibits low thermal inertia relative to surroundings. Are these (igneous/mud) volcanoes? Erosional remnants?

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_075558_1515_ESP_082824_1515_RED
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona

HiPOD: A Rippled Patch on the Plains

Here on the plains to the west of Juventae Chasma, we see a patch of inverted, or perhaps fluvial, channel forms with superposed or decaying-in-place bedforms that have been acted upon by the wind. This patch is surrounded by a more heavily cratered darker-toned terrain. Is the patch maybe just comprised of sedimentary materials?

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_075183_1765
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona

HiPOD: A Possible Glacial Formation in a Crater

This observation features an impact crater with a furrowed and pitted floor and a big, slump-like feature in its northern part. The crater floor is reminiscent of formations believed to be of glacial origin elsewhere on Mars, and our HiRISE image can provide clues to its nature. The terraced wall of the crater has blocky material reminiscent of craters on Ceres.

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_075273_2145
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
#Mars #science #NASA

HiIRSE 3D: A Lava-Coated Crater near Kasei Valles

This crater was coated by lava which then deflated, probably due to volatile loss. How much did it deflate?

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_082265_1960_ESP_082555_1960_RED
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
#Mars #science #3D

HiPOD: About a Crater

This approximately 190-meter diameter circular depression appears to have an interesting interior shape in Context Camera data. This observation will assist in confirming that this is an impact crater and to determine what is causing the unusual interior appearance in the CTX data.

ID: ESP_075274_0945
date: 17 August 2022
altitude: 247 km

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_075274_0945

HiPOD: Squiggles in Hellas Planitia

Here we see what appears to be long and straight “scratch marks” running down the southeast (bottom-right) facing dune slopes. If we look closer, we can see these scratch marks actually squiggle back and forth on their way down the dune. These scratch marks are linear gullies.

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_051770_1345
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
#Mars #science #NASA

HiPOD: Hitch-Hiking with CTX

HiRISE often rides along with observations performed by the Context Camera (CTX) on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Sometimes, we will take a picture slightly before or after the CTX observation, in order to explore new terrain.

Here, this trick is used to steal a glimpse of a pair of beautiful box canyons in Noctis Labyrinthus that open to the east and reveal intriguing layering.

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_082424_1730
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
#Mars #science #NASA

HiRISE 3D: Exposure of Eroded Fan Deposits

Superb exposure of wind-eroded fan deposits: debris flow or fluvial? This anaglyph can help to determine if inverted channels are debris flow or fluvial.

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_082858_1655_ESP_082647_1655_RED
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
#Mars

HiPOD: Spotted Dunes near Terra Cimmeria

Frost and sand are common occurrences on Mars. The bright carbon dioxide frost condenses out of the atmosphere during winter, marking a stark contrast with the dark sand dunes found here. This image reveals how the warming temperatures from the rising southern sun liberate the frost and expose the sand, initially in discrete spots. (Enhanced color image is less than 1 km across.)

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_081492_1215
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
#Mars

HiPOD: Lavas and Grabens

How far do the lavas from Arsia Mons invade the grabens here in Noctis Labyrinthus? Why is the contact so sharp? What marginal characteristics are present in the lava flows, particularly the details of the crenulations or lack thereof?

ID: ESP_075264_1630
date: 16 August 2022
altitude: 251 km

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_075264_1630
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
#Mars #science #NASA

HiRISE 3D: Like a Wound – This observation did not have much by way of its science rationale, but it’s weird-looking enough to warrant a 3D look.

https://www.uahirise.org/anaglyph/ESP_082843_1515_ESP_081854_1515_RED
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
#Mars #science #3D

HiPOD: Slope Monitoring in Layered Rocks

This deposit of sedimentary rocks has excellent examples of recurring slope lineae (RSL). This proposed region of interest was last imaged after the 2006 dust storm and shows numerous large RSL all over the steep slopes. Once this excellent candidate RSL site is confirmed, additional images can be acquired on the neighboring candidate RSL site to the east.

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_075259_1520
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
#Mars #science #NASA