Saturday, December 3, 2011

Gully and Dunes


An earlier observation (ESP_019969_1215) of the same area shows a very interesting feature: a defrosting gully and dunes, with distinct defrosting spots along the gully channel.

Since HiRISE can re-image certain areas over time, this area seems like a worthwhile place to monitor the defrosting process and hopefully gain a deeper understanding of it. This observation was taken at the end of southern summer and will serve as a baseline for observing the gully defrosting next southern spring.

Photo credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

Note: This image is taken in an unnamed crater southwest of Argyre Planitia.

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