Thermal Mars
Explanation:
It's 2 AM on Mars and surface temperatures range from -65C to -120C,
as measured by the
Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) onboard the Mars Global Surveyor
spacecraft.
TES data used to make
this detailed temperature map
were acquired while passing over the
night side of
the Red Planet
during 500
mapping orbits of Mars.
With the warmest
temperatures shown in white, progressing through
red, yellow, and green colors to the coldest temperatures in blue,
the map reveals the northern hemisphere during summer while the
south experiences the cold
martian winter.
Near Mars' equator, the variations in nighttime temperatures are related to
surface materials.
Cold blue areas are covered with
fine dust particles and the warmer regions are covered with
coarser sand and rocks.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
