CEPS Research
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CEPS Research |
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| (Above) False-color topographic
map of the recently discovered former lakes in the cratered highlands of
Mars. Lighter colors denote higher elevations in both images. The largest
of the three lakes overtopped its basin rim and the resulting outflow toward
the north (arrow) carved Ma'adim Vallis, which is larger than the Earth's
Grand Canyon. The basin and valleys are currently dry, but evidence of the
former lake shorelines has been preserved. North is at the top. High
resolution image (3.2 MB jpg) |
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| (Right) Facing south, a perspective view looking up Ma'adim Vallis. The channel flowed into Gusev Crater (foreground), which is currently being considered as a landing site for one of the 2003 Mars Exploration Rovers. A view across part of the large former lake (background) shows its deep bowl-shaped floor. High resolution image (977 K jpg) | |
| More information
about this project at: http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/ceps/research/mars/irwin_lakes.cfm Image credit: R. P. Irwin
III and G. A. Franz, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution |
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 High resolution image (1.9 MB jpg) |
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 Meduim resolution image (78 K jpg) |
(Top and right)
Grayscale versions of the color images on previous page, with water not
shown. Image credit: R. P. Irwin III and G. A. Franz, National Air and
Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution |
 High resolution image (461 K jpg) |
| (Left)
Viking Orbiter image of part of Ma'adim Vallis, where it crosscuts an impact
crater. The dry valley is 23 km (14 miles) wide at this location, and the
former flood channel is 5 km (3 miles) wide. Image credit: NASA/JPL.
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| Created:
June 20, 2002 ©2002 National Air and Space Museum |
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