* Astronomy

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Ares Vallis


L

Posts: 131433
Date:
Ares Vallis
Permalink  
 


Mars Express observes clusters of recent craters in Ares Vallis

525-20110912-9393-6-co-01-AresVallis_L.jpg
Oraibi crater in Ares Vallis

Newly released images taken by ESA's Mars Express show an unusual accumulation of young craters in the large outflow channel called Ares Vallis. Older craters have been reduced to ghostly outlines by the scouring effects of ancient water.
In the distant past, probably over 3.8 billion years ago, large volumes of water must have rushed through the Ares Vallis with considerable force. Mars Express imaged the preserved aftermath of this scene on 11 May 2011. The prominent Oraibi crater lies in the channel and is about 32 km across. It is filled with sediments and its southern rim has been eroded by water. NASA's Pathfinder mission landed in this region in 1997, 100 km to the north of the crater and off the right-hand side of this image.

Read more 



__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.



Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse
Powered by ActiveBoard