In Chandor Chasma on Mars
Explanation:
Scroll right and dive into a spectacular canyon
on Mars.
This
daytime
infrared view, recently recorded by the THEMIS camera
on board the orbiting
Mars Odyssey spacecraft,
covers a 30 by 175 kilometer swath running along the canyon floor.
The north (left) end of the scene is poised at the edge of
Candor Chasma,
part of the great
Valles Marineris canyon system.
In all about 4,000 kilometers long and up to 6 kilometers deep,
Valles Marineris is roughly five times the size of the
Grand
Canyon
on planet Earth.
The
THEMIS
camera data was recorded in three separate
infrared bands
and combined to make this striking
false-color image.
Resulting color differences along this intricate section
of martian terrain are attributed to
differences in mineralogy,
the chemical makeup and structure of the rocks, sediments
and surface dust.
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.
