White Rock Fingers on Mars
Explanation:
What caused this unusual light rock formation on Mars?
Intrigued by the possibility that they could be
salt deposits left over as an ancient
lakebed dried-up,
detailed studies of these fingers now
indicate a more mundane possibility:
volcanic ash.
Studying the
exact color of the formation indicated the possible
volcanic origin.
The
light material
appears to have
eroded away from surrounding
area,
indicating a very low-density substance.
The stark contrast between the rocks and the surrounding
sand is compounded by the
unusual darkness of the sand.
The
featured picture was taken with the
Thermal Emission Imaging System on the
Mars Odyssey, the longest serving
spacecraft currently
orbiting
Mars.
The image spans about 10 kilometers inside a
larger crater.
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.
