Astronomy Picture of the Day
    


At the Summit of Olympus Mons
<< Yesterday 26.05.2004 Tomorrow >>
At the Summit of Olympus Mons
Credit & Copyright: G. Neukum (FU Berlin) et al., DLR, ESA
Explanation: From martian orbit, the Mars Express cameras looked down on the largest volcano in the solar system. The result was this stunningly detailed overhead view of the caldera or summit crater region of Olympus Mons. Fittingly named for the lofty abode of the gods of Greek mythology, Olympus Mons rises 21 kilometers above the surrounding plain or about 3 times the height of Mt. Everest. The area pictured is 102 kilometers across and the caldera pits are up to 3 kilometers deep. For comparison, hawaiian volcanic calderas range up to 18 kilometers in diameter. Outlined by steep cliffs, Olympus Mons itself is about 600 kilometers in diameter.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
 < May 2004  >
Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su





12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31





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.

Based on Astronomy Picture Of the Day

Publications with keywords: Olympus Mons - caldera - Mars - volcano
Publications with words: Olympus Mons - caldera - Mars - volcano
See also:
All publications on this topic >>