Sulphate deposits in Juventae Chasma


 
Colour view of Juventae Chasma
 
19 January 2006
 
These images, taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft, show the depression of Juventae Chasma, cut into the plains of Lunae Planum on Mars.
 
  
 
   
Map showing Juventae Chasma in context
 
The HRSC obtained these images during orbit 243 with a ground resolution of approximately 23.4 metres per pixel. The scenes show the region of Lunae Planum, at approximately 5° South and 297° East.

The depression of Juventae Chasma, located north of Valles Marineris, cuts more than 5000 metres into the plains of Lunae Planum. The floor of Juventae Chasma is partly covered by dunes.
 
 
 
3D anaglyph view of Juventae Chasma
 
 
In the valley, to the north-east, there is a mountain composed of bright, layered material. This mountain is approximately 2500 metres high, it has a length of 59 kilometres and a width of up to 23 kilometres.

The OMEGA spectrometer on board Mars Express discovered sulphate on the surface of Mars and confirmed that this mountain is indeed composed of sulphate deposits.
 
 
   
Perspective view of Juventae Chasma - looking west
 
The colour scenes have been derived from the three HRSC-colour channels and the nadir channel.

The perspective views have been calculated from the digital terrain model derived from the stereo channels.
 
 
 
Perspective view of Juventae Chasma - looking north
 
 
 
 
Close-up perspective view of the 'sulphate' mountain - looking east
 
 
 
 
Perspective view of the 'sulphate' mountain - looking north-east
 
 
The 3D anaglyph image was calculated from the nadir and one stereo channel. 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'.
 
 
 
Black and white view of Juventae Chasma
 
 
 

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