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PIA06724: Spotty Dunes
 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:  601 x 902 pixels (w x h)
 Produced By:  Malin Space Science Systems
 Producer ID:  MOC2-800
 Full-Res TIFF:  PIA06724.tif (542.9 kB)
 Full-Res JPEG:  PIA06724.jpg (88.66 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:

27 July 2004
Frost-covered dunes develop spots and streaks as they begin to defrost in springtime. This April 2004 Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a suite of north polar dunes in the early stages of the defrosting process. At the time the image was acquired, Mars was only 1 month into the northern spring season. The picture is located near 75.9°N, 266.0°W, and is illuminated by sunlight from the lower left. The image covers an area about 3 km (1.9 mi) wide.

Image Credit:
NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

Image Addition Date:
2004-07-27