Close Up Fly Over of Mars Polar Lander Landing Area in True Color

View Resource

No Strings Attached

Author:

David Smith, Tom Biddlecome

Subject:

Science and Technology

Institution Name:

NASA

Collection:

NASA GSFC Scientific Visualization Studio

Grade Level:

Secondary, Post-secondary

Abstract:

This is one of a series of visualizations showing false-colored renderings of the Martian topography measured by MOLA in the vicinity of the Mars Polar Lander landing site. Blue tones represent elevations of less than 2 kilometers, while reddish tones are greater than about 2.8 kilometers, relative to the mean equatorial height of Mars. The elevation of the landing site is about 2.4 km, midway into the polar layered terrain. The 400 meters (1-4 mile) resolution of the MOLA data gives a smoothed but vertically exaggerated view of the topography. At this scale it is impossible to ascertain the actual roughness at the landers destination, forcing project directors to make their best guesses based on available data.

Course Type:

Learning Module

Languages:

English

Material Type:

Other

Media Format:

Graphics/Photos, Text/HTML, Video

Technical Requirements:

Real player

Conditions of Use:

Public Domain
Please give credit to NASA GSFC Scientific Visualization Studio