
Mars South Polar Map

by Science Photo Library
Title
Mars South Polar Map
Artist
Science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Mars south polar map. Geologic map of Mars viewed from above the south polar ice cap. This map is based on surveys from the Viking orbiter spacecrafts. Black lines outline the shapes of craters, basins, ridges, faults and other notable landmarks. Colours depict rock type (lithology), rock layers (stratigraphy) and structure. The southern ice cap is a permanent feature, composed of water ice and frozen carbon dioxide. Its size shrinks during the Martian summer due to ice sublimating (transforming from solid to gas) leaving behind a smaller residual polar cap.
Uploaded
September 16th, 2018
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