Dune Filled Crater

Image Title: Dune Filled Crater
Release Date: September 25, 2006
Source: Mars Global Surveyor

Description

I am fascinated with the dune fields of Mars. I find their various shapes and geometric regularities captivating. This particular image of a dune filled crater on Mars is nothing special. However, it does reveal quite clearly how the topographic irregularities created by the crater set up a sand trap for wind-born particles. A desert world, the martian winds, sand particles, and topography combine to yield a vast array of dunes, dune fields, and dune seas.

Just barely visible are some light-toned layered outcrops in the crater walls. Outcroppings and layered deposits in craters are a target of interest for geologists attempting to understand the geologic history of Mars. For scale, this image is approximately 3.5 kilometers wide.

Source Image Background

The source image was acquired by the Mars Global Surveyor MOC narrow-angle in December 2004. The location of the image on Mars is 0.37°N latitude, 354.59°W longitude.

Image Processing

All processing of this image was done using Adobe Photoshop. This includes noise removal, the application of false color, contrast enhancement and tonal adjustments.

Wallpaper Download

I have created a compressed low resolution version of "Dune Filled Crater" for use as a desktop wallpaper. This wallpaper version is made available for your personal use only. It is not to be modified or redistributed in any form by any means. All rights are retained by the artist.

Dune Filled Crater, 1024 x 768 Wallpaper Image by Jim Plaxco