PIA02198: Smooth Transition
This image from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor shows a transition from one of the many layered troughs in the north polar region of Mars to the relatively homogeneous-looking upper surface of the polar cap.
 Target Name:  Mars
 Is a satellite of:  Sol (our sun)
 Mission:  Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) 
 Spacecraft:  Mars Global Surveyor Orbiter
 Instrument:  Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) 
 Product Size:  836 x 1216 pixels (w x h) 
 Produced By:  Malin Space Science Systems 
 Producer ID:  MOC2-1381  
 Full-Res TIFF:  PIA02198.tif (1.018 MB)
 Full-Res JPEG:  PIA02198.jpg (239.7 kB)  

Click on the image above to download a moderately sized image in JPEG format (possibly reduced in size from original)

Original Caption Released with Image:

22 February 2006
This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a transition from one of the many layered troughs in the north polar region of Mars to the relatively homogeneous-looking upper surface of the polar cap. The difference in brightness across this scene is a function of several factors, one of which is the amount of dust versus that of ice in any given location. The bright material that dominates the scene is largely water ice.

Location near: 83.2°N, 297.8°W
Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: lower right
Season: Northern Summer

Image Credit:
NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

Image Addition Date:
2006-02-22