This is the south polar cap of Mars as it appeared to the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) on April 17, 2000. In winter and early spring, this entire scene would be covered by frost. In summer, the cap shrinks to its minimum size, as shown here. Even though it is summer, observations made by the Viking orbiters in the 1970s showed that the south polar cap remains cold enough that the polar frost (seen here as white) consists of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide freezes at temperatures around -125簞 C (-193簞 F). Mid-summer afternoon sunlight illuminates this scene from the upper left. The polar cap from left to right is about 420 km (260 mi) across.

px px dpi = cm x cm = MB
Details

Creative#:

TOP22317630

Source:

達志影像

Authorization Type:

RM

Release Information:

須由TPG 完整授權

Model Release:

N/A

Property Release:

No

Right to Privacy:

No

Same folder images:

Same folder images