HiRISE | Exposure of South Polar Layered Deposits (PSP_004650

NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

Exposure of South Polar Layered Deposits
PSP_004650_0975 Science Theme: Polar Geology

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Extensive layered deposits are found in both polar regions of Mars, and are thought to contain evidence of recent climate changes like ice ages on Earth.

Radar observations suggest that the polar layered deposits are composed mostly of water ice, but many layered exposures, including this one, appear to be covered by a layer of dust that protects the underlying water ice from further erosion. The south polar layered deposits are more extensive than the northern deposits, and have generally been less active recently.

The greater age of the surface of the south polar layered deposits is indicated by the higher density of craters on its surface; a cluster of small craters is visible above center in this image. Also visible are widespread polygonal fractures, evidence of water ice expansion/contraction below the surface.

Written by: Ken Herkenhoff (21 October 2009)

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Acquisition date:	24 July 2007	Local Mars time:	4:02 PM
Latitude (centered):	-82.6 degrees	Longitude (East):	245.7 degrees
Range to target site:	248.4 km (155.2 miles)	Original image scale range:	49.7 cm/pixel (with 2 x 2 binning) so objects ~149 cm across are resolved
Map projected scale:	50 cm/pixel	Map projection:	POLAR STEREOGRAPHIC
Emission angle:	0.1 degrees	Phase angle:	62.1 degrees
Solar incidence angle:	62 degrees, with the Sun about 28 degrees above the horizon	Solar longitude:	282.7 degrees, Northern Winter
For non-map projected products:
North azimuth:	116 degrees	Sub-solar azimuth:	47.6 degrees
For map-projected products
North azimuth:	155.7 degrees	Sub solar azimuth:	91.80 degrees

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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: Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

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For information about NASA and agency programs on the Web, visit: http://www.nasa.gov. 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. Lockheed Martin Space Systems is the prime contractor for the project and built the spacecraft. The HiRISE camera was built by Ball Aerospace and Technology Corporation and is operated by the University of Arizona. The image data were processed using the U.S. Geological Survey’s ISIS3 software.