Mosaic of Mars made from about 100 images obtained by the Viking 1 Orbiter. The dark blue area at centre right is Syrtis Major Planum, a volcanic shie

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Mosaic of Mars made from about 100 images obtained by the Viking 1 Orbiter. The dark blue area at centre right is Syrtis Major Planum, a volcanic shield of probable basaltic composition. To its left, the heavily cratered yellow-brown region is called Arabia. The bright area at far right is Isidis Planitia, an ancient impact basin. The white area in the far south is covered by carbon dioxide frost. Color variations in the mosaic, enhanced by a factor of two, are due to variations in geology, weathering & crustal development. The original images were obtained in 1980 during a single orbit in Mars' early northern summer. (Further information available on request). For further information, see the folder of caption sheets in R350 in the front office files.

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Size: 4512px × 4065px
Photo credit: © US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: arabia, astronomy, cosmology, imagery, isidis, major, mars, mosaic, planet, planetary, planitia, region, science, syrtis, usgs, viking