[meteorite-list] Mars Express Images: Nicholson Crater on Mars

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri Jul 15 15:09:30 2005
Message-ID: <200507151908.j6FJ8eV12630_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMLWL6DIAE_0.html

Nicholson Crater on Mars
European Space Agency
Mars Express
15 July 2005

These images, taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board
ESA?s Mars Express spacecraft, show Nicholson Crater, located at the
southern edge of Amazonis Planitia on Mars.
 

[Image]
Map showing Nicholson Crater in context

The HRSC obtained these images during orbit 1104 with a ground
resolution of approximately 15.3 metres per pixel. The scenes show the
region around Nicholson Crater, at approximately 0.0? South and 195.5?
East.

Nicholson Crater, measuring approximately 100 kilometres wide, is
located at the southern edge of Amazonis Planitia, north-west of a
region called Medusae Fossae.

 

[Image]
Colour nadir view of Nicholson Crater

Located in the centre of this crater is a raised feature, about 55
kilometres long and 37 kilometres wide, which extends to a maximum
height of roughly 3.5 kilometres above the floor of the crater.

At present, it is still unclear how this central feature was shaped and
what kind of processes led to its formation. It is thought that the
remnant hill could be composed of material from underground or was built
as a result of atmospheric deposition.

 
 
[Image]
Black and white nadir view of Nicholson Crater

The tall feature in the centre of this hill is the central peak of the
crater, which forms when the surface material ?rebounds? after being
compressed during the formation of an impact crater.

However, it is clear that this feature has been heavily sculpted after
its creation, by the action of wind or even water.

 
 
[Image]
Colour 3D perspective view of central peak - looking north-west
 
[Image]
Close-up perspective view - looking north-west
 
The colour images were processed using the HRSC nadir (vertical view)
and three colour channels. The perspective views were calculated from
the digital terrain model derived from the stereo channels.
 
 
[Image]
3D anaglyph view of Nicholson Crater

The 3D anaglyph images were created from the nadir channel and one of
the stereo channels. Stereoscopic glasses are needed to view the 3D
images Image resolution has been decreased for use on the internet.
Received on Fri 15 Jul 2005 03:08:39 PM PDT