Layers in Gordii Dorsum
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
Layers in Gordii Dorsum
PSP_006984_1840  Science Theme: Sedimentary/Layering Processes
This image shows distinctive differences in the texture of the ground surface in an area of Mars called Gordii Dorsum.

The upper right part of the image contains many subparallel ridges. These ridges are geological features called yardangs (long irregular ridges carved by wind erosion). The lower half of the image is smoother and contains a few small knobs and ridges. This area of Mars contains extensive outcroppings of layered sedimentary rocks that may have formed by the accumulation of sand and dust either blown in by the wind, transported by water, or some combination of processes such as these.

The distinctive surface textures may be due to differences in the rock structure and formation process. Mapping differences in the surface textures such as these may help to reveal how these rocks formed and advance our understanding of the geologic history of Mars.

Written by: ChrisO  (27 February 2008)
 
Acquisition date
22 January 2008

Local Mars time
14:38

Latitude (centered)
3.878°

Longitude (East)
213.737°

Spacecraft altitude
273.9 km (170.2 miles)

Original image scale range
27.4 cm/pixel (with 1 x 1 binning) so objects ~82 cm across are resolved

Map projected scale
25 cm/pixel and North is up

Map projection
Equirectangular

Emission angle
3.7°

Phase angle
36.1°

Solar incidence angle
40°, with the Sun about 50° above the horizon

Solar longitude
21.3°, Northern Spring

For non-map projected images
North azimuth:  97°
Sub-solar azimuth:  14.5°
JPEG
Black and white
map projected  non-map

IRB color
map projected  non-map

Merged IRB
map projected

Merged RGB
map projected

RGB color
non-map projected

JP2
Black and white
map-projected   (801MB)

IRB color
map-projected   (345MB)

JP2 EXTRAS
Black and white
map-projected  (410MB)
non-map           (407MB)

IRB color
map projected  (118MB)
non-map           (325MB)

Merged IRB
map projected  (187MB)

Merged RGB
map-projected  (190MB)

RGB color
non map           (312MB)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
B&W label
Color label
Merged IRB label
Merged RGB label
EDR products
HiView

NB
IRB: infrared-red-blue
RGB: red-green-blue
About color products (PDF)

Black & white is 5 km across; enhanced color about 1 km
For scale, use JPEG/JP2 black & white map-projected images

USAGE POLICY
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.