The Wind on Mars
Explanation:
Wind erosion has been discovered on Mars.
Pictures of regions surrounding the
north polar cap
show sand dunes covered in frost.
In
places, however,
this frost has been eroded to uncover the
dark sand underneath.
Since this
frost can only be as old as the
Martian winter is long, this
erosion
must have taken place within the past Martian year.
Once established, it is easy to visualize that
much of the appearance of the above region has
been sculpted by wind blown dust. Because the
Martian atmosphere is so thin,
a person
standing on Mars
would not get blown over by these Martian winds.
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.
