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Awesome, Breath-Taking Images of Mars Via European Space Agency's Mars Express
European Space Commission ^ | October 22, 2013 | Staff

Posted on 10/22/2013 7:56:08 PM PDT by lbryce

There's a huge source of magnificent images of space, of Mars in particular, that are absolutely amazing but are not as readily seen by those of us here in the USA mostly because,
I think, the sources are not American in origin. I, myself am guilty of the same sort of attitude in choosing not to patronize space imagery sources unless they are those provided by NASA.

But as the stunning images of Mars provided below demonstrate, it is definitely something to reconsider.

I chose the following images at random from the nearly 12,000 images available from the European Space Agency's web site taken by the ESA Martian Orbiter, Mars Express. The ESA's archive
of space images contain many thousands taken of Mars by the Mars Express available to
search through at The European Space Agency Images Search

All About European Space Union's Mars Express

Title Hebes Chasma mesa Released 10/10/2013 11:00 am Copyright ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum) Description

The details of the central mesa inside Hebes Chasma are seen in close-up detail in this perspective view. A horseshoe-shaped chunk has been taken out of one side of the mound (left in this image); the material has slumped down onto the floor of the valley below. A dark patch appears to pool like spilt ink across the debris. It is most likely loose material that has slid down the walls from an intermediate layer. Melted ice could have played a role by weakening the rocks to create its flow-like appearance.

Along the side of the mound fine horizontal layering is seen. The layers likely comprise a mix of wind-blown dust and ancient lake sediments, along with remnants of the older plateau.

Title Becquerel Crater Released 05/09/2013 11:00 am Copyright ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum) Description

A striking scene in and around Becquerel crater – the largest crater in this view – reveals both the power of wind and water in the turbulent history of Mars. A mound of light-coloured sulphate deposits formed from evaporating water sits inside the crater amid a sea of dark wind-blown deposits. The darker material has blown towards the south-southwest (top left) of the image in a wide swath and across tiny craters there – their raised rims protect the material immediately downwind from being swept away.

The mosaic is composed of four images taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera on ESA’s Mars Express, with an average ground resolution of 17 m per pixel. The image centre lies at about 22°N/352°E; North is to the right. The individual images were taken on 22 July 2006 (orbit 3253), and 26 February, 2 and 7 March 2008, corresponding to orbits 5332, 5350, and 5368, respectively.

Title Becquerel Crater sulphate mound Released 05/09/2013 11:00 am Copyright ESA Description

This detailed view of the approximately 1 km high mound inside Becquerel crater reveals its intricate layering. The layers are just a few metres thick each and are composed of sulphate-bearing minerals left behind after water has evaporated. Repeating patterns in the layers could reflect climatic changes that occurred as Mars evolved from a warm, wet world into a cold, dry planet some 3.5–3.8 billion years ago. The dark sediments were likely blown in from outside the crater, but local erosion of the mound may also have contributed to the supply of sediment.

Becquerel crater and its immediate surrounds were imaged during four orbits of Mars Express around the Red Planet: on 22 July 2006 (orbit 3253), and 26 February, 2 and 7 March 2008, corresponding to orbits 5332, 5350 and 5368, respectively. Becquerel crater lies within Arabia Terra, at about 22°N/352°E.

Title Tagus Valles colour view Released 01/08/2013 11:00 am Copyright ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum) Description

In the ancient cratered southern highlands of Mars, the faint traces of a wet past are seen in the form of channels (lower centre), fluidised debris around craters (bottom right) and blocks of eroded sediments (top left). Volcanic activity may have deposited the fine dusting of dark material visible in the top left.

The image was taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera on ESA’s Mars Express on 15 January 2013 (orbit 11504), with a ground resolution of approximately 22 m per pixel. The image centre lies at about 4°S / 114°E, close to Tagus Valles in an unnamed region north of Hesperia Planum.

Title Perspective view of Olympus Mons flanks Released 04/07/2013 11:00 am Copyright ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum) Description

Lava once flowed down the flanks of the Olympus Mons volcano, spilling out onto the surrounding plains. Here, the paths of numerous individual lava flows can be seen curving around natural obstacles and cascading like waterfalls over cliff edges.

Random pointed and flat-topped blocks protrude from the flank edges, rotated or uplifted as the sides of the volcano collapsed.

Only a few very faint traces of ancient lava channels can be seen in the surrounding plain, which was flooded by a later outpouring of lava.

The image was taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera onESA’s Mars Express on 21 January 2013 (orbit 11524), with a ground resolution of approximately 17 m per pixel. The image centre is located at approximately 14°N / 229°E.

Title Olympus Mons SE flank Released 04/07/2013 11:00 am Copyright ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum) Description

A portion of the southeastern flank of Olympus Mons as imaged by the High Resolution Stereo Camera on ESA’s Mars Express on 21 January 2013 (orbit 11524), with a ground resolution of approximately 17 m per pixel. The image centre is located at approximately 14°N / 229°E. North is to the right.

The image highlights the stark contrast between the hundreds of narrow, individual lava flows on the flanks of the volcano, and the smooth lava plains that surround it.

iimg src="http://spaceinimages.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2013/05/sulci_gordii_close-up/12656908-4-eng-GB/Sulci_Gordii_close-up.jpg">

Title Sulci Gordii close-up Released 02/05/2013 11:00 am Copyright ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum) Description

This image focuses on a region on the western limb of Sulci Gordii (top centre-right on the corresponding main image). It shows clearly in the foreground the near-parallel characteristic of the ridges and valleys that define geological features called sulci. Close inspection of the ridges reveals dark streaks along their faces, evidence of numerous small landslides of rocky and dusty debris.

Sulci Gordii is an aureole deposit resulting from the dramatic collapse of the flank of Olympus Mons in its distant past.

The image was taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera onESA’s Mars Express on 23 January 2013 (orbit 11531), with a ground resolution of about 31 m per pixel. Sulci Gordii lies at approximately 17°N / 234°E, about 200 km east of Olympus Mons.

Title Perspective view of Orcus Patera Released 29/08/2010 4:57 pm Copyright ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum) Description

Orcus Patera is an enigmatic elliptical depression located between the volcanoes of Elysium Mons and Olympus Mons. This well-defined depression extends approximately 380 km by 140 km in a NNE–SSW direction. It has a rim that rises up to 1800 m above the surrounding plains, while the floor of the depression lies 400–600 m below the surroundings. The straight graben that cut across its rim are clearly seen in this image.

Title Perspective view of the Orcus Patera Released 29/08/2010 4:56 pm Copyright ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum) Description

Orcus Patera is an enigmatic elliptical depression located between the volcanoes of Elysium Mons and Olympus Mons. This well-defined depression extends approximately 380 km by 140 km in a NNE–SSW direction. It has a rim that rises up to 1800 m above the surrounding plains, while the floor of the depression lies 400–600 m below the surroundings.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: esa; mars; marsexpress
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To: lbryce

Wow!!


21 posted on 10/22/2013 8:33:20 PM PDT by Gator113
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To: SatinDoll

According to the Mars Express mission facts it says...

The Mars Express Orbiter will:
image the entire surface at high resolution (10 metres/pixel) and selected areas at super resolution (2 metres/pixel);

No wonder these are such great images!


22 posted on 10/22/2013 8:35:31 PM PDT by Jack Hydrazine (IÂ’m not a Republican, I'm a Conservative! Pubbies haven't been conservative since before T.R.)
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To: lbryce

Wow!!! Just like you were there.


23 posted on 10/22/2013 8:35:58 PM PDT by SkyDancer (Live your life in such a way that the Westboro church will want to picket your funeral.)
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To: lbryce

I used the first pic for my 27” wallpaper.


24 posted on 10/22/2013 8:36:28 PM PDT by Gator113
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To: lbryce

Wow!!! Just like you were there.


25 posted on 10/22/2013 8:37:35 PM PDT by SkyDancer (Live your life in such a way that the Westboro church will want to picket your funeral.)
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To: Mikey_1962

“Nothing is as impressive as manned space flight.”

“But Obama canceled that.”

After the launch of the Affordable Care Act, you know, the Obamacare train wreck, maybe in hindsight it was a good thing he DID NOT shoot for the moon!


26 posted on 10/22/2013 8:38:38 PM PDT by SatinDoll (NATURAL BORN CITIZEN: BORN IN THE USA OF USA CITIZEN PARENTS)
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To: Mikey_1962

I may be old;
However, there is times when you see something and just say WOW!!!!
I am glad to see the other planets clearer and thank GOD of all His creations!


27 posted on 10/22/2013 8:45:27 PM PDT by bayoublazer (Conservative, by reasons of higher cognitive skills)
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To: Gator113
Check this one out. It's Hebes Chasma with a landslide! Kinda grabs ya' by the boo-boo, don't it?


28 posted on 10/22/2013 8:48:21 PM PDT by Jack Hydrazine (IÂ’m not a Republican, I'm a Conservative! Pubbies haven't been conservative since before T.R.)
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To: SkyDancer

No pyramids, faces, or abandoned cities. Still an intersting place and one that will, I believe, support life—human lives who go to live there and transform it into a new world. We know they have water—and that’s all thats needed.


29 posted on 10/22/2013 8:48:58 PM PDT by Forward the Light Brigade (Into the Jaws of H*ll)
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To: Mr. Jeeves
Okay. I accept that. Excellent idea. It doesn't seem too daunting.

I do plan on making this a regular feature, posting images from the European Space Agency with the next installment being done using thumbnails in the style you suggest.

I've noted your user name and have placed you as #1 on The European Space Agency pings list.

30 posted on 10/22/2013 8:51:01 PM PDT by lbryce (Obama:The Worst is Yet To Come)
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To: lbryce

Awesome! Thanks for posting!


31 posted on 10/22/2013 8:53:35 PM PDT by Errant
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To: Jack Hydrazine

Beautiful.


32 posted on 10/22/2013 8:54:02 PM PDT by Gator113
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To: lbryce
Bookmark.

Great pictures, thanks for posting.

33 posted on 10/22/2013 9:04:14 PM PDT by The Cajun (Sarah Palin, Mark Levin, Ted Cruz......Nuff said.)
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To: Jack Hydrazine
Sand People helmet?
34 posted on 10/22/2013 9:05:08 PM PDT by EEGator
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To: lbryce
I'd swear I saw Tonopah in that second picture.

Kidding aside, those are absolutely breathtaking pictures. Thanks for sharing!

35 posted on 10/22/2013 9:07:56 PM PDT by 60Gunner (Fight with your head high, or grovel with your head low.)
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To: Jack Hydrazine
The page provided below is where I submitted, initiated the Mars images search into the ESA FREE SEARCH (11694 Images) field. I submitted only the word "Mars" into the search field and decidedly not "Mars Express". http://spaceinimages.esa.int/Images


36 posted on 10/22/2013 9:10:02 PM PDT by lbryce (Obama:The Worst is Yet To Come)
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To: MeneMeneTekelUpharsin

“Here ponder too the Laws which God,
Framing the universe, set not aside
But made the fixed foundations of his work.”

This is in the opening refrain of Halley’s Ode to Newton, published in the preface of Newtown’s Principia Mathematica.

As written, these words caused consternation, since they seemed to deny “Providence” as it was termed ... God’s ongoing intervention in the workings of the world.

Hence, they were censored, and are only restored to us in more modern times.

So what I’m saying is, you’re late to the table.


37 posted on 10/22/2013 9:17:28 PM PDT by dr_lew
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To: Gator113
That is an incredible choice. Hebes Chasma mesa is my very favorite of the entire lot.
38 posted on 10/22/2013 9:21:03 PM PDT by lbryce (Obama:The Worst is Yet To Come)
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To: lbryce

BTTT!


39 posted on 10/22/2013 9:24:43 PM PDT by Pagey (HELL is The 2nd Term of a POTUS who uses the terms “social justice” and “fair distribution".)
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To: Jack Hydrazine
Tell you what, this one takes some *splaining*.
All I did was enlarge, brighten and increase contrast.


40 posted on 10/22/2013 9:25:21 PM PDT by The Cajun (Sarah Palin, Mark Levin, Ted Cruz......Nuff said.)
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