Kasei Vallis


Kasei Vallis
 
Kasei Vallis
 
18 February 2004
 
This vertical view shows the mouth of Kasei Vallis, one of the largest outflow channels on Mars, taken by Mars Express.
 
The image was taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board Mars Express during orbit 61 from an altitude of 272 km. The resolution is 12 metres per pixel. The image centre is located at 29.8° north and 309° east, the image width is 130 km, North is up.

The part of the outflow channel seen in this image has most probably been carved by glaciers or gigantic water-related outflows known from terrestrial subglacial lakes. The blackish-blue colour is related to sediments. The bright streaks oriented NE-SW are related to wind forces.

This image shows various details which give an insight into the erosional history of the outflow channel. The image also illustrates how difficult it is to achieve near-true colour in images of Mars when atmospheric dust and haze have a major disturbing influence on the scene.
 
 
 
Composite showing the location of Kasei Vallis
 
 
 

Looking at Mars

 •  - (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/index.html)

Mars Express image browser

 •  - (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMVZF77ESD_0.html)

Recent images

 •  View of deposits in Melas Chasma on Mars (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMFKTV4QWD_0.html)
 •  Fractured crater near Valles Marineris (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMG6OV4QWD_0.html)
 •  'Yardangs' on Mars (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMN6GV4QWD_0.html)
 •  Northern rim of Hellas basin (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMB5UL26WD_0.html)
 •  Melas Chasma, in Valles Marineris (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM69E3VQUD_0.html)
 •  Evidence of flooding at Mangala Valles (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM4SS2VQUD_0.html)
 •  Arsia Mons volcano in 3D (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM2EAHHZTD_0.html)
 •  Deep faults and disrupted crater at Acheron Fossae (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMKRR77ESD_0.html)
 •  Western flank of Olympus Mons (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM59O67ESD_0.html)
 •  Louros Valles, south of Ius Chasma (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM6TZ57ESD_0.html)
 •  Claritas Fossae tectonic region on Mars (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM18A57ESD_0.html)

More information

 •  High Resolution Stereo Camera (http://berlinadmin.dlr.de/Missions/express/indexeng.shtml)
 •  Behind the lens... (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMSXE1PGQD_0.html)