Mars W-Cloud and South Polar Cap

Author

Preview

Title - Alternative

Recurring Bright Atmospheric Features on Mars

Keywords

Aeronautics, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Mariner 6-9, Mars, NASA

Photo Description

A frequently recurring group of bright objects known as the "W-cloud" is shown. Three discrete points appear, forming two of the legs of an inverted W near the bright limb. It is not known whether these features are actually clouds rather than variable surface features, but their appearance near the equator only during the afternoon is consistent with the behavior of clouds analogous to afternoon convective clouds occurring on the Earth. The local time on Mars at these features is approximately three or four hours after noon. Their brightness varies from one Mars day to another as well as with time of day. Mare Sirenum and Mare Cimmerium comprise the broad dark band adjacent to the South Polar Cap. The two black dots near the central meridian are reference points in the camera focal plane. Irregularities in the edge of the South Polar Cap are clearly visible in this picture, as well as in most of the others in this series.

Publication Date

7-29-1969

Format

image/jpeg

Number of Images

2

Side of Image

Front of Image

Publisher

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Original Size

8" x 10"

Identifier

DP0057524-0059a

NASA Photo Number

69-H-1282

Photo Credit

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Location

John C. Hitt Library

Department

Special Collections & University Archives

Collection

Official NASA Photographs, Vol. 1, October 10, 1960 - July 24, 1969

Call Number

SC 010

Digital Production Specifications

Digitized by the University of Central Florida Libraries, Digital Initiatives Unit. Jpeg images were derived from no less than 600 dpi tiffs scanned on a Copibook scanner.

Use and Reproduction

This image is posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. For permission to reproduce images and/or for copyright information, contact Special Collections & University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, Orlando, FL 32816, (407) 823-2576.

Additional Rights Statement

This photograph is a government publication – not subject to copyright.

Recommended Citation

"Mars W-Cloud and South Polar Cap" (1969). Official NASA Photographs, Vol. 1, October 10, 1960 - July 24, 1969. 58.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/nasa-photographs-volume-1/58