NASA Mars Picture of the Day: Wind-Streaked Slopes

Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera

MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-628, 6 February 2004

NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC)
image shows very heavily wind-streaked slopes in an
area near southern Claritas Fossae. Wind rushing down slopes
toward the lower left has moved fine sediment to create
these patterns. This is located
near 25.3°S, 109.7°W, and covers an area 3 km (1.9 mi) wide.
Sunlight illuminates the scene from the lower 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.