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Mars: frost patterns in Louth crater

auteur: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona/Novapix

référence: a-mar11-00030

Image Size 300 DPI: 21 * 16 cm

This image from the HIRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows the changing seasonal frost patterns on Louth Crater, located at latitude 70 N. This crater contains a mound covered by water frost that persists throughout the year, which is unusual for this latitude. The seasonal carbon dioxide frost deposited during northern winter can also reach this latitude. At the time this image was acquired in northern spring, the carbon dioxide frost is in the process of sublimating back into the atmosphere. There are sand dunes near the edge of the mound, which become clear of frost in the summer.
Image taken on march 26 2008.

Keywords for this photo:

2008 - ASTRONOMY - CARBON DIOXIDE - CLIMATE - DUNE - FROST - HIRISE - ICE - LOUTH - MARS - MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER - MRO - PLANET - VASTITAS BOREALIS -