Moreover, the chart is so comprehensive that it represents the best global topographic map of any object in the universe. Published May 28 in the journal Science, the map was presented to scientists at a meeting of the American Geophysical Union in Boston this week. While it includes some data taken last summer, most measurements were made this spring. A precision map showing how gravity varies over Mars' surface is to be published next month, and magnetic charts will follow. New maps of Mars chart every contour of the planet.
Photo shows the flat lowlands of the northern hemisphere.
It's taken a while to even get this far. The spacecraft settled into its close-in circular mapping orbit in March, but it should have arrived a year earlier. Structural weakness in one of two solar panels caused delays as controllers gradually eased the craft into the desired orbit. Now it is sending back hundreds of thousands of high-precision measurements every day of topography, magnetism in the crust, and gravity. Earth looks unimpressive The topographical map is based on height measurements taken by the spacecraft's infrared laser altimeter.