Science and Exploration

Nectaris Fossae And Protva Valles On Mars

By Keith Cowing
Status Report
ESA
February 3, 2023
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Nectaris Fossae And Protva Valles On Mars
Nectaris Fossae And Protva Valles

This image from ESA’s Mars Express shows Nectaris Fossae and Protva Valles, complex geological features found on Mars.

Round impact craters are scattered across the frame, and a band of fractured grooves, resembling scratches and scars carved into the rock, stretches from the top left to bottom right.

This image comprises data gathered by Mars Express’ High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on 23 May 2022. It was created using data from the nadir channel, the field of view aligned perpendicular to the surface of Mars, and the colour channels of the HRSC. It is a ‘true colour’ image, reflecting what would be seen by the human eye if looking at this region of Mars.

North is to the right. The ground resolution is approximately 23 m/pixel and the image is centred at about 27°S/301°E.

Larger image

SpaceRef co-founder, Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA, Away Teams, Journalist, Space & Astrobiology, Lapsed climber.