NASA Mars Picture of the Day: Sedimentary Rocks in Ganges

Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera

MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-909, 13 November 2004

NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC)
image shows portions of two massifs composed of
light-toned, sedimentary rock in Ganges Chasma, part of
the Valles Marineris trough system. On the steeper
slopes in this vista, dry talus shed from the outcrop
has formed a series of dark fans. Surrounded
by dark, windblown sand, these landforms are located
near 8.6°S, 46.8°W. The image
covers an area approximately 3 km (1.9 mi) across
and sunlight illuminates the scene from the upper left.

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.