• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

New Mars Express Image: Kasei Vallis

Posted on: Wednesday, 18 February 2004, 06:00 CST

European Space Agency -- This vertical view shows the mouth of Kasei Vallis, one of the largest outflow channels on Mars, taken by Mars Express.

The image was taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board Mars Express during orbit 61 from an altitude of 272 km. The resolution is 12 metres per pixel. The image centre is located at 29.8° north and 309° east, the image width is 130 km, North is up.

The part of the outflow channel seen in this image has most probably been carved by glaciers or gigantic water-related outflows. The blackish-blue colour is related to sediments. The bright streaks oriented NE-SW are related to wind forces.

This image shows various details which give an insight into the erosional history of the outflow channel. The image also illustrates how difficult it is to achieve near-true colour in images of Mars when atmospheric dust and haze have a major disturbing influence on the scene.

About Mars Express

Mars Express is Europe’s first spacecraft to the Red Planet. It carries seven instruments and a lander. The orbiter instruments are remotely investigating the Martian atmosphere, surface and subsurface. Beagle 2, the lander, was expected to perform on-the-spot measurements and also search for signs of past life. However, Beagle 2 was lost during landing procedures.

Mars Express is an important element of the international flotilla of spacecraft destined to explore Mars. The ESA project is also the start of an innovative way of developing building blocks for cheaper assembly of future European space missions. The spacecraft has been built and launched in record time and at a much lower cost than previous, similar missions into outer space.

-----

On the Net:

Mars Express Mission

European Space Agency

More science, space, and technology from RedNova

More News in this Category