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Nicholson Crater on Mars
Perspective view of Nicholson Crater central peak - looking west
15 July 2005
These images, taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft, show Nicholson Crater, located at the southern edge of Amazonis Planitia on Mars.
 | | | Map showing Nicholson Crater in context |
The HRSC obtained these images during orbit 1104 with a ground resolution of approximately 15.3 metres per pixel. The scenes show the region around Nicholson Crater, at approximately 0.0° South and 195.5° East.
Nicholson Crater, measuring approximately 100 kilometres wide, is located at the southern edge of Amazonis Planitia, north-west of a region called Medusae Fossae.
| | Colour nadir view of Nicholson Crater | |
Located in the centre of this crater is a raised feature, about 55 kilometres long and 37 kilometres wide, which extends to a maximum height of roughly 3.5 kilometres above the floor of the crater.
At present, it is still unclear how this central feature was shaped and what kind of processes led to its formation. It is thought that the remnant hill could be composed of material from underground or was built as a result of atmospheric deposition.
| | | Black and white nadir view of Nicholson Crater |
The tall feature in the centre of this hill is the central peak of the crater, which forms when the surface material ‘rebounds’ after being compressed during the formation of an impact crater.
However, it is clear that this feature has been heavily sculpted after its creation, by the action of wind or even water.
Colour 3D perspective view of central peak - looking north-west
Close-up perspective view - looking north-west
The colour images were processed using the HRSC nadir (vertical view) and three colour channels. The perspective views were calculated from the digital terrain model derived from the stereo channels.
| | | 3D anaglyph view of Nicholson Crater |
The 3D anaglyph images were created from the nadir channel and one of the stereo channels. Stereoscopic glasses are needed to view the 3D images Image resolution has been decreased for use on the internet.
For more information on Mars Express HRSC images, you might like to read our updated 'Frequently Asked Questions'.
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