Science and Exploration

Martian Gullies in Winter Shadow

By Keith Cowing
Press Release
April 21, 2017
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Martian Gullies in Winter Shadow
Martian Gullies
NASA

This is an odd-looking image. It shows gullies during the winter while entirely in the shadow of the crater wall. Illumination comes only from the winter skylight.
We acquire such images because gullies on Mars actively form in the winter when there is carbon dioxide frost on the ground, so we image them in the winter, even though not well illuminated, to look for signs of activity. The dark streaks might be signs of current activity, removing the frost, but further analysis is needed.

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona Larger image

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