MGS: Phobos’ Shadow

07Feb06

Check out this image returned by the Mars Orbital Camera onboard Mars Global Surveyor:

Click for the full-size image and press release.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) color image shows early autumn clouds over the Arsia Mons volcano, plus the shadow of the innermost of the two martain moons, Phobos.

Arsia Mons and the other large Tharsis volcanoes commonly develop afternoon orographic (i.e., topographically controlled) water ice clouds at this time of year.

Sunlight glints off the dusty surface and the clouds and aerosols in the atmosphere, producing the bright diagonal streak located just southeast (lower right) of Arsia Mons. The dark oval to the northeast of Arsia Mons, as noted above, is the shadow of Phobos.

That’s one heck of a capture, as Phobos is on the dinky side, a mere 22km in diameter. Great shot!

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Filed under: Astronomy, Mars   |  

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