NASA Mars Picture of the Day: Aerodynamic
Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1509, 30 June 2006
 NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems |
| This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows dunes in the north polar region of Mars. In this springtime view, the dunes are largely covered by frozen carbon dioxide that was deposited during the winter months in the northern hemisphere. Dark spots indicate areas where the frost has begun to either sublime away, acquire a roughened texture, or both. |
| Location near: 77.3°N, 95.4°W |
| Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi) |
| Illumination from: lower left |
| Season: Northern Spring |
Malin Space Science Systems and the California Institute of Technology
built the MOC using spare hardware from the Mars Observer mission.
MSSS operates the camera from its facilities in San Diego, California.
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Mars Surveyor Operations Project
operates the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft with its industrial
partner, Lockheed Martin Astronautics, from facilities in Pasadena,
California and Denver, Colorado.
