[meteorite-list] Mars Express Image: Eos Chasma, part of Valles Marineris

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon Aug 30 15:06:47 2004
Message-ID: <200408301906.MAA02591_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.esa.int/export/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM9MZW4QWD_0.html

Eos Chasma, part of Valles Marineris
European Space Agency
Mars Express
30 August 2004

These images, taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board
ESA's Mars Express spacecraft, show the southern part of Valles
Marineris, called Eos Chasma.
 
The images were taken during orbit 533 in June 2004, and are centred at
Mars longitude 322? East and latitude 11? South. The image resolution is
approximately 80 metres per pixel.
 
Between surrounding plains and the smooth valley floor, a height
difference of about 5000 metres has been measured.

The plain to the south, above Eos Chasma, is covered by several impact
craters with diameters of around 20 kilometres and drainage channels.

To the east on this plain, isolated regions with cracked surfaces become
more prominent. The direction of flow of the drainage channels in this
area of the plain is ambiguous, as the channels to the north-east drain
towards the south-east, and those in the south-west normally flow to the
north-west.
 
The northern part of Eos Chasma's valley floor is a rough area with
angular hills reaching almost 1000 metres. In contrast, the southern
part reveals a smooth topography with distinct flow structures.

In some areas of the southern slope, at least two terrace levels can be
observed. Some haze in the valley hints at the presence of aerosols
(airborne microscopic dust or liquid droplets).

The colour image was created from the HRSC's nadir (vertical view) and
three colour channels. The 3D anaglyph image was created using the nadir
and one of the stereo channels.

The perspective views, with height exaggerated by a factor of four, were
calculated from the digital terrain model derived from the stereo
channels. Image resolution was reduced for use on the internet.
Received on Mon 30 Aug 2004 03:06:42 PM PDT