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Gusev Crater
This mosaic of daytime infrared images of Gusev Crater, taken by the
camera system on the Mars Odyssey spacecraft, has been draped over
topography data obtained by Mars Global Surveyor. The daytime
temperatures range from approximately minus 45 degrees C (black) to
minus 5 degrees C (white). The temperature differences in these daytime
images are due primarily to lighting effects, where sunlit slopes are warm
(bright) and shadowed slopes are cool (dark). Gusev crater is a potential
landing site for the Mars Exploration Rovers. The large ancient river channel
of Ma'Adim that once flowed into Gusev can be seen at the top of the mosaic.
This image mosaic covers an area approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles)
on each side centered near 14 degrees S, 175 degrees E, looking toward
the south in this simulated view.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the 2001 Mars Odyssey
mission for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. The thermal
emission imaging system was provided by Arizona State University, Tempe.
Lockheed Martin Astronautics, Denver, Colo., is the prime contractor for the
project, and developed and built the orbiter. Mission operations are
conducted jointly from Lockheed Martin and from JPL, a division of the
California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
Credit: NASA/JPL/Arizona State University
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