HiRISE | Abrading Dome Dunes in the North Polar Erg (PSP_009295

NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

Abrading Dome Dunes in the North Polar Erg
PSP_009295_2565 Science Theme: Aeolian Processes

This location is where Mars Global Surveyor (a previous Mars orbiter) saw evidence of dunes that either shrank or completely disappeared over a span of a few years. HiRISE provides new details at higher resolution.

As seen here, the dunes show clear evidence of erosion. Based on the shape of the dunes in this picture, the strongest winds have blown from the lower right (southeast) to upper left (northwest). Streamers of dark sand are visible on the white, frost-covered surface downwind of the dunes. This is particularly prominent at the “horns” of the barchan dunes (these are the dunes with the prominent points at their edges).

Scientists believe these dunes are cemented, by ice, such that the wind is progressively eroding them over time. Future observations by HiRISE will determine if the dunes shrink as indicated by MGS, or maybe even migrate, over time.

Written by: Nathan Briges (1 September 2008)

This is a stereo pair with PSP_009743_2565.

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Acquisition date:	20 July 2008	Local Mars time:	2:51 PM
Latitude (centered):	76.2 degrees	Longitude (East):	95.3 degrees
Range to target site:	318.7 km (199.2 miles)	Original image scale range:	63.8 cm/pixel (with 2 x 2 binning) so objects ~191 cm across are resolved
Map projected scale:	50 cm/pixel	Map projection:	POLAR STEREOGRAPHIC
Emission angle:	6.8 degrees	Phase angle:	50.1 degrees
Solar incidence angle:	56 degrees, with the Sun about 34 degrees above the horizon	Solar longitude:	101.4 degrees, Northern Summer
For non-map projected products:
North azimuth:	100 degrees	Sub-solar azimuth:	327.6 degrees
For map-projected products
North azimuth:	174.6 degrees	Sub solar azimuth:	43.12 degrees

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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.