The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's HiRISE camera captured this intriguing image of a field of stunning dunes known as barchan dunes, as reported first by Universe Today.
These dunes were captured in Chasma Boreale, near Mars' North pole, where they have grown along a cliff.
Barchan Dunes
The High-Resolution Imaging Experiment, or HiRISE, is a potent camera that can snap images from orbit and detect details as small as a desk.
The region visible in this photograph is less than one kilometer (under a mile) broad, and MRO was around 197 kilometers above the earth when the image was captured. According to HiRISE researchers, barchan dunes are widespread on both Mars and Earth.
These dunes have highly distinctive shapes and are significant because they may teach scientists information about the environment in which they evolved and the direction of the winds in a specific area.
Sandy regions with prevailing winds in one direction are where barchans grow. As a result, a crescent-shaped dune is formed. Sand is blown into crests and slopes, and the arcs of sand that form the barchan dunes end in 'horns' that curve downwind, as noted by Universe Today.
Because the dunes in the image above are not shaped like the traditional crescent chevron configuration, this may imply that winds at the Red Planet's the North Pole must swirl in different ways.
The red-green-blue filter on the camera was used to capture the photograph, which explains why the dunes are presented in blue colors.
Just Like Human Eyes
With a telescopic lens, the HiRISE camera has one of the highest resolutions of any space camera at the moment and functions in visible wavelengths, just like the human eyes.
Scientists can detect 1-meter (about 3-foot) items on Mars thanks to these high-resolution photos, and they can examine the surface structure considerably more thoroughly than with any previous Mars mission.
HiRISE additionally collects data on the minerals present on the planet by making observations at near-infrared wavelengths.
Since MRO has been orbiting Mars since 2006, planetary scientists can monitor changes over time. The team wants to use this new image to examine seasonal changes in this region over time.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla
