These, too, must indicate periods when the wind was strong enough to move materials, consistently, in only one direction. The sand that makes up the north polar dunes is dark. Each spot and streak is composed of the dune sand. The bright surfaces are all covered with frost. This picture is located near 76.9 degrees N, 271.2 degrees W, in the north polar sand sea.
Illumination is from the lower left.
The 200 meter scale also indicates a distance of 656 feet. Malin Space Science Systems and the California Institute of Technology built the MOC using spare hardware from the Mars Observer mission. Next Launch A Lockheed Martin Athena 1 will launch the Kodiak Star mission for NASA and the Air Force no sooner than Saturday from Kodiak Island, Alaska. Visit the Tracking Station for a full listing of upcoming launches.