25 days agoScientists discover unusual sand dunes on Mars planet
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)A bunch of unusual dunes were discovered on the planet Mars by the Mars Discovery Orbiter (MRO), which flies at a height of 300 kilometers above the Red Planet's surface. Scientists observed almost entirely round dunes, a rare view of Mars where dunes tend to be random and [...]
Scientists observed almost entirely round dunes, a rare view of Mars where dunes tend to have random, irregular shape.
Their light anemia reveals that their steep sides are facing the south, a delicate trace of winds blowing in the same direction.
The photograph is taken from the high - resolution camera HiRise operated by scientists at Arizona University.
With these images, researchers track how the ice on Mars' surface melts as winter ends. An image of the same dunes taken earlier shows ice - covered dunes.
This is just one of 60 countries on Mars monitored by the ARO Hives. High resolution cameras have been in orbit around the Red Planet since 2006, when the MRO arrived on Mars.
Repeated dune observations during Mars, which lasts 687 earthly days, have allowed planner scientists to record how fast the dunes move. From the equator to the pole, these structures seem to progress up to three feet [1 m] a year in the Martian Empire.
On December 21, 2010, the MRO's primary mission ended after 5 years and 6 months. The orbiter was issued from Earth on August 12th 2005. This new image shows that 12 years after the completion of the mission, the spacecraft and the HiRise still provide valuable information for scientists.
