UAHiRISE (NASA MRO)

This image captures the margin of the fluvial system in Eberswalde Crater, Mars, where it transitions onto the plains. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (284 km above the surface and 5 km across) Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_012610_1560

There is clay-rich terrain in this degraded crater, which itself seems to be part of a possible double-impact. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (281 km above the surface. Less than 1 km top to bottom and north is to the right.) Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_019837_1865 ​

There are materials here south of Gorgonum Chaos that are bright in night-time infrared images and show hydration and possible clay signatures. Music: Chaos by Gunnar Olsen (used by permission) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (255 km above the surface, less than 5 km across) Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_019261_1410 ​

This color-infrared image shows sand dunes in Melas Chasma, located within the Valles Marineris (Mars). (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona https://uahirise.org/ESP_055322_1680

Geologists study the central peaks of craters because the uplifted bedrock was once deep within the Martian crust. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona https://uahirise.org/ESP_055238_1615

This image reveals a unique situation where this small dune field occurs along the summit of the large 1-mile-tall mound. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona https://uahirise.org/ESP_054082_1765

Hebes Chasma is an isolated chasma just north of the Valles Marineris canyon system of Mars. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (267 km above the surface, about 5 km across.) Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_018664_1785 ​ Music: Wind Marching for Rain by Puddle of Infinity (used by permission)

There is some exposed light-toned bedrock, along with deposits with beautiful color contrasts. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_055407_1485

This image covers the interior wall and ejecta of a 20-kilometer diameter crater near Toro Crater (Mars). NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (284 km above the surface, about 5 km across) Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_019265_1975 ​

Of course, clays form in the presence of water, so the questions are: how much water might have been here and for how long? NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (266 km above the surface, less than 5 km across) Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_018189_1675 ​

Evaporites are a natural salt or mineral deposit left after the evaporation of a body of water. This observation is in Uzboi Vallis, believed to have been formed by running water. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (257 km above the surface, less than 1 km top to bottom and north is to the right.) Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_017832_1490

This image is within Ius Chasma, a large canyon within the Valles Marineris system, Mars. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (264 km above the surface, less than 5 km across) Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_017504_1725 ​

These types of dune fields are located among canyon wall slopes on Mars. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona https://uahirise.org/ESP_034856_1655

This image shows inverted channels within a fan that could be either fluvial or alluvial in origin. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona https://uahirise.org/ESP_055505_1520

These features are very interesting to scientists who study Mars, especially to those involved in the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter mission. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) https://uahirise.org/ESP_055307_2215

These slopes have gone through a complicated history of gully erosion of the bedrock layers. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) https://uahirise.org/ESP_054832_2185

Hebes Chasma is an isolated chasma just north of the Valles Marineris canyon system on Mars. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (296 km above the surface, less than 5 km across) Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_053054_1785 ​

This image is of eroded layered deposits on the floor of large crater, with potential clays. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (266 km above the surface, and less than 5 km across.) Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_052941_1555

This image shows a portion of Ius Chasma, Mars. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (268 km above the surface, less than 5 km across). Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_019007_1715

There are possible clays located here. Ganges Chasma (Mars) is a deep canyon at the eastern end of the vast Valles Marineris system on Mars, possibly formed through a series of catastrophic discharges of water. It is named after the river Ganges. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (264 km above the surface, less than 1 km top to bottom and north is to the right.) Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_016804_1710 ​

A hotspot for exploration on Mars centers on areas that were once next to a significant source of heat such as volcanoes. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona Source: https://uahirise.org/ESP_055282_2125

The objective of this observation is to examine thin layers in a crater in Sinus Meridiani (Mars). Pictures like this will help us determine the extent of layering in this region. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (274 km above the surface, less than 5 km across). Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_052524_1850 ​

Shallow valleys may provide clues regarding the formation of the deposits we see in this observation. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona Source: https://uahirise.org/ESP_055110_2265

The fans built up over time during intense rain storms or from melting snow. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona https://uahirise.org/ESP_033471_1580

Dust avalanches create slope streaks that expose darker materials usually hidden below a layer of light-toned dust. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona https://uahirise.org/ESP_055285_2030

A crater impact in cracked terrain–in West Utopia Planitia–has produced a series of steps and a strong albedo (reflection of light) change within the crater. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (304 km above the surface, less than 5 km across) Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_016535_2260 ​

Many scientists using orbital data have proposed that a large lake may have once existed here. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona Source: https://uahirise.org/ESP_055392_1510

The objective of this observation is to examine a dense field of flat topped mounds next to a pedestal crater. Many of the mounds have wide pits at the top. This image may represent a contact in surfaces because the boundaries of this field of mounds are sharp (meaning not heavily eroded). NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (306 km above the surface, less than 1 km top to bottom and north is to the right) Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_052339_2275 ​

Aram Chaos lies within an ancient impact crater in the Southern Highlands of Mars. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona Source: https://uahirise.org/ESP_054753_1825

As the sun warms the terrain in the South Pole, spiders begin to emerge. Wait, what? (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona Source: https://uahirise.org/ESP_055283_0985

Which impact crater formed first, or did they form at the same time? (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona Source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_054940_2385

Here, we see a transition from chaotic terrain to outflow channel terrain that is much smoother. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (269 km above the surface, less than 5 km across) https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_052091_1770

The (false color) blue appearance is due to the intense blast of the impact moving around dust on the surface. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona https://uahirise.org/ESP_053006_1980

The North Polar layered deposits on Mars comprise a thick stack of icy layers. Part of this image has lingering seasonal frost, which serves to accentuate those layers. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_053806_2650

One of the most actively changing areas on Mars are the steep edges of the North Polar layered deposits. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.)

Ganges Chasma is in the northeast portion of Valles Marineris, and opens into outflow channels that flowed to the north. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) https://uahirise.org/ESP_054609_1720

Barchans and topographically-influenced dark dunes are visible in this area. This image could reveal interesting wind-driven changes. (These are what we are referring to as “bedforms.”) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (271 km above the surface, and enhanced color is less than 1 km top to bottom and north is to the right.) https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_052024_1875 ​

Sand dunes in the north polar regions of Mars show light coatings of dust blown across dark basaltic sand. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona https://uahirise.org/ESP_053129_2650

This HiRISE image captures a new, dated (within about a decade) impact crater that triggered a slope streak. When the meteoroid hit the surface and exploded to make the crater, it also destabilized the slope and initiated this avalanche. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_054066_1920

Sand dunes often accumulate in the floors of craters. In this region of Lyot Crater (Mars) there is a field of classic barchan dunes. NB: “Enhanced color” is also the same as false color, which we use to show details we cannot see in black and white. The dune is not actually blue and it would not look that way to our eyes if we were there. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_053894_2295

These formations could be recent in geologic time and may mark habitable subsurface environments. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) https://uahirise.org/ESP_054649_1665

From the science rationale for this observation: “A high resolution image can help us resolve any small scale structure that can be used to determine what these mounds are.” Plus, what other forces besides the wind have eroded these mounds? Candor Chasma remains a favorite to image because of the fantastic stratigraphy. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (285 km above the surface, less than 1 km top to bottom and north is to the right.) https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_051762_1750 ​

In early Martian summer, at the time we acquired this image, the dunes are almost free of their seasonal ice cover. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_053324_2570)

Hale Crater has a suite of wonderful features, such as this exposed bedrock. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (https://uahirise.org/ESP_054701_1430)

Looking like pulled threads, these dunes march across a fabric of patterned ground. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.)

MRO keeps finding new impact sites on Mars. This one occurred within the dense secondary crater field of Corinto Crater. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (https://uahirise.org/ESP_053745_1915)

There might have been lava flowing into the larger crater here, while the smaller crater shows distinct layers. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (280 km above the surface, less than 5 km across). https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_051286_1785 ​

Ius Chasma is a major part of Valles Marineris, the largest canyon system in the solar system, and it about 938 kilometers in length. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (288 km above the surface; 5 km across). https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_051195_1725 ​

This is a very rare formation within a crater: a shape like a much-beloved 1980s video game character. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are less than 5 km across.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona (280 km above the surface). https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_054515_1930

Often, a bolide breaks apart in the atmosphere and makes a tight cluster of new craters. (Audio: www.tregibbs.com. Black and white images are 5 km across; enhanced color images are 1 km.) NASA/JPL/University of Arizona