Yardangs Forming near Gordii Dorsum
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
Yardangs Forming near Gordii Dorsum
ESP_035558_1830  Science Theme: Geologic Contacts/Stratigraphy
The purpose of this observation is to determine how these formations, called “yardangs” are forming within a layer of bedrock.

Yardangs are streamlined hills that are carved by wind erosion from bedrock. The rock must be sufficiently erodible for wind to either deflate (pick up) poorly-consolidated pieces or scrape the surface by blowing sand. HiRISE resolution allows us to view yardangs and the component layers more closely, and to get a better understanding of the material.

“Yardang” is a word of Turkish origin, meaning “steep bank.“ When viewed from above, yardangs can look like the hull of a boat.

Written by: HiRISE Science Team (narration: Tre Gibbs)  (30 April 2014)
 
Acquisition date
26 February 2014

Local Mars time
15:20

Latitude (centered)
2.900°

Longitude (East)
217.454°

Spacecraft altitude
270.9 km (168.4 miles)

Original image scale range
54.2 cm/pixel (with 2 x 2 binning) so objects ~163 cm across are resolved

Map projected scale
50 cm/pixel and North is up

Map projection
Equirectangular

Emission angle
1.1°

Phase angle
52.0°

Solar incidence angle
53°, with the Sun about 37° above the horizon

Solar longitude
94.9°, Northern Summer

For non-map projected images
North azimuth:  97°
Sub-solar azimuth:  36.1°
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Black & white is 5 km across; enhanced color about 1 km
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All of the images produced by HiRISE and accessible on this site are within the public domain: there are no restrictions on their usage by anyone in the public, including news or science organizations. We do ask for a credit line where possible:
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona

POSTSCRIPT
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif., manages the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, Washington. The HiRISE camera was built by Ball Aerospace and Technology Corporation and is operated by the University of Arizona.