NASA Mars Picture of the Day: Syrtis Crater
Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1369, 10 February 2006
NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems |
This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a crater that is approximately 2 km in diameter in south central Syrtis Major Planum. The image also captures a portion of the light-toned wind streak formed in the lee (to the left) of the crater. The wind streak is likely composed of a thin coating of dust. |
Location near: 1.9°N, 294.0°W |
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi) |
Illumination from: upper left |
Season: Northern Summer |
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.