Pic of the Day (27th Oct)

[Event Horizon]

Full size Image

The largest canyon in the Solar System cuts a wide swath across the face of Mars. Named Valles Marineris, the grand valley extends over 3,000 kilometers long, spans as much as 600 kilometers across, and delves as much as 8 kilometers deep. By comparison, the Earth's Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA is 800 kilometers long, 30 kilometers across, and 1.8 kilometers deep.

The origin of the Valles Marineris remains unknown, although a leading hypothesis holds that it started as a crack billions of years ago as the planet cooled. Recently, several geologic processes have been identified in the canyon. The above mosaic was created from over 100 images of Mars taken by Viking Orbiters in the 1970s.

 

[derk]

Are some of the tracks on the surface what was supposed to have been evidence of the flow of water or are they just the result of storms or something ?

 

[Event Horizon]

Yes some of the markings on the surface are still considered to be evidence of massive water flow at one time in the past. The main fissure you are looking at is thought to have been created a very long time ago by the rapid cooling of the crust. Water in solid form is still thought to be present in abundance especially around the polar regions

 

[derk]

eeemh .......I dont think I will be moving house just yet then

Good cooling can be useful but thats just too much

 

[MDPlatts]

Schweet!

 

[[ASSE]Arnie01]

Very nice picture matey. The mind boggles at how they come up with such amazing pictures from space. All the ones you have posted so far have been spectucularly crystal clear.

Truly amazing.
Arnie

 

[Event Horizon]

I have tried to find the best i can Its especially amazing when you consider that this photo was taken in 1970!

 

[taliesyn]

Nice piccy again EH. It's amazing how much of the planet's area is taken up by that one feature

 

[daesdaemar]

Awesome...

 

[PurDunamis]

Very nice

(this post is in no way a cheap bump)