Mars' south polar region in spring

by: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona/Novapix
Reference: a-mar11-00012
Date: 2009-07-25

This false-color image from the HIRISE(High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows dark patterns of dust carried by gas from beneath the seasonal ice cap as the cap of carbon dioxide ice (dry ice) sublimates (goes directly from ice to vapor) in spring. This image, covering an area about 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) across, was taken on Feb. 4, 2009.

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