BEAUTIFUL MARS

HiPOD: Layers on the Floor

The objective of this observation is to examine a nice outcrop of layers on the floor of an impact crater in Arabia Terra. Perhaps, the crater once held a lake. Arabia Terra is one of the oldest surface regions on Mars and contains a large variety of surface features. This scene is also visible in Context Camera image data.

ID: ESP_077080_1900 date: 5 January 2023 altitude: 275 km

HiPOD: Impact Related Deposits and Flows in Noachis Terra

The purpose of this image target is to observe how surface flow patterns in the area vary with distance from the proposed parent crater. This is one of several flow feature observations being suggested in the vicinity of the well-preserved crater to the southeast here in Noachis Terra.

Image cutout is less than 5 km across. For full image including scale bar, visit the source link.

ID: ESP_076922_1505 date: 24 December 2022  altitude: 253 km

HiPOD: Martian Impact Parties: Where Everything Happens in a Cluster 

The HiRISE and Context Camera instruments onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have discovered over 700 recent impact sites on Mars. Some of these sites contain crater clusters where multiple craters are concentrated in a single region.

These clusters are thought to have formed when an incoming impactor fragmented in the Martian atmosphere, with the resulting debris creating newer craters in close proximity. Investigating these recently formed crater clusters provides valuable insights into the atmospheric fragmentation processes and the characteristics of the impacting bodies.

Our HiRISE image shows one such site where several meter-sized craters were formed between 2009 and 2011. The craters also contain very distinctive dark blast zones, suggesting the removal or disturbance of surface material. The arcing patterns around the crater indicate an oblique impact angle, with the bolide likely coming from the southwest.

ID: ESP_055581_1985 date: 5 June 2018  altitude: 277 km

HiPOD: The Spring Awakening of Martian Polar Dunes

During the Martian winter, carbon dioxide ice (dry ice) blankets various landforms, including dunes, in the northern high latitudes. As spring arrives, the ice sublimates, causing unique changes on the surface.

This HiRISE image captures a site featuring a North Polar scarp and nearby dune field, showing the early to mid-stages of defrosting during northern spring. In areas without dunes, the ice remains a continuous layer, while on the dunes, dark defrosting spots appear as the surface material beneath the ice is mobilized and deposited on top.

In some cases, this mobile material also cascades down the steep dune faces, leading to the formation of dark streaks that can be easily identified in our enhanced color cutout. This dynamic interaction between the sublimating ice and the underlying surface provides us a unique glimpse at the seasonal processes that shape the landscape on present-day Mars.

Enhanced color cutout is less than 1 km across. For full image including scale bar, visit the source link.

ID: ESP_087131_2640 date: 26 February 2025 altitude: 316 km

HiPOD: Ejecta as Art

This image footprint is part of the massive ejecta blanket of Arandas Crater. The inner ejecta layer runs up against the rim of a pre-existing crater, and has produced several compressional ridges on the blanket. In addition, there are radial grooves that are typical of the inner layer of a double layer ejecta crater. This image will help resolve the timing of groove formation relative to the interaction of the ejecta layer and any obstacles.

Grayscale cutout is less than 5 km across; enhanced color cutout is less than 1 km. For full image including scale bar, visit the source link.

ID: ESP_077067_2220 date: 4 January 2023 altitude: 300 km

HiPOD: Landforms in Utopia Planitia

This observation features landforms that resemble cratered-cones, but are morphologically distinct and may have a different formation mechanism. At HiRISE resolution, we can look for textures that may provide clues on how these features formed.

Enhanced color cutout is less than 1 km across; grayscale is less than 5 km. For full image, visit the source link.

ID: ESP_077063_2110 date: 4 January 2023 altitude: 290 km

HiPOD: The Floor of East Candor Chasma

This target location is an interesting area, with possible soft sediment deformation of lacustrine (lake-based) sediment. This observation was requested to support geologic mapping.Candor Chasma is one of the largest canyons that make up Valles Marineris. The floor of Candor Chasma includes a variety of landforms, including layered deposits, dunes, landslide deposits and steep sided cliffs and mesas.

Enhanced color cutout is less than 1 km across; grayscale is less than 5 km. For full image, visit the source link.

HiPOD: The Scalloped Terrain of Utopia Planitia

This image footprint is in a region of abundant scalloped depressions. Their formation most likely involves development of oval- to scalloped-shaped depressions that may coalesce together, leading to the formation of large areas of pitted terrain. Scalloped pits typically have a steep pole-facing scarp and a gentler equator-facing slope.

Enhanced color cutout is less than 1 km across; grayscale is less than 5 km. For full image including scale bar, visit the source link.

ID: ESP_077037_2240 date: 2 January 2023 altitude: 299 km

HiPOD: Fluvial Erosion in Phlegra Montes

This public target via HiWish suggests to observe possible fluvial erosion that could help understand the climate history of Mars. Context Camera data and previous HiRISE images show faint, but possible channels. Phlegra Montes is a range of gently curving mountains and ridges on Mars, extending from the northeastern portion of the Elysium volcanic province to the northern lowlands.

ID: ESP_076823_2195 date: 16 December 2022 altitude: 296 km

HiPOD: Layers in West Melas Chasma

This stunning image shows well-exposed layers of a canyon wall in Melas Chasma. Our science goal is to see if we can constrain layer orientations, pinchout patterns and unconformities that can help determine layer origins. A stereo pair will help us to measure layer orientations.

Enhanced color cutout is less than 1 km across; grayscale is less than 5 km. For full image including scale bar, visit the source link.

ID: ESP_077043_1715 date: 2 January 2023 altitude: 264 km

HiPOD: The Ridges Within

The objective of this observation is to examine ridges on the floor of an extremely old impact crater located in Noachis Terra. Like its namesake, Noachis Terra (“Land of Noah”) is a southern highland region of heavily cratered and ancient terrain and is west of the giant Hellas impact basin.

Enhanced color cutout is less than 1 km across; grayscale is less than 5 km. For full image including scale bar, visit the source link.

ID: ESP_077040_1565 date: 2 January 2023 altitude: 255 km

HiPOD: Steep Slopes of Crumbling Bedrock in Valles Marineris

This image covers a rocky ridge deep in Melas Chasma, targeted to sample bedrock exposures. The slopes are quite steep, so there has been considerable mass wasting where boulders become loose over time and tumble down the slopes.

Hiking over this terrain would be challenging for future human visitors. It would also be quite challenging for rovers to drive here. Drones that can fly over this terrain may be the best way to explore the geology.

ID: ESP_092075_1680 date: 18 March 2026 altitude: 263 km

HiPOD: Deposits in Aeolis Dorsa

Branching deposits in this area have been shown to be consistent with river deltas. Measurements of channel-belt width and thicknesses of river deltas on Earth point to relationships between width, thickness, and backwater hydrodynamics. Here, we would like to make similar measurements of the delta deposits in the Aeolis Dorsa region.

ID: ESP_076995_1735 date: 29 December 2022 altitude: 265 km

HiPOD: A Flow East of Hellas Planitia

This image was a repeat request to track any changes from earlier HiRISE images. The goal of these obsevations was to examine material that appears to be flowing through the gap in a crater rim to a lower level. This breach and the materials on it are the most interesting aspects of the images.

ID: ESP_077010_1345 date: 30 December 2022 altitude: 248 km

HiPOD: Flows at the Ejecta Edge near Noord Crater

This image shows flow features at the edge of extended ejecta deposits. Here we can study the textures, nature, and origins of these flows in high resolution. The Context Camera also shows the existence of flows at this location. Our observation extends the mosaic coverage at Noord Crater, assisting in our ongoing characterization of that crater.

Grayscale cutouts are less than 5 km across. For full image including scale bar, visit the source link.

ID: ESP_076988_1605 date: 29 December 2022 altitude: 258 km

HiPOD: Down in the Crater

This observation shows contact between material inside large and heavily eroded crater where an upper layer appears to be eroding back and forming a scarp. A high resolution image will help us to look for fine-scale bedding or other indications of the nature of these geologic units.

Enhanced color cutout is less than 1 km across; grayscale is less than 5 km. For full image including scale bar, visit the source link.

ID: ESP_076988_1965 date: 29 December 2022 altitude: 279 km

HiPOD: On the Shapes of Dunes

This observation is part of a long-running image campaign to aid in the classification and volume estimates of dunes in the U.S. Geological Survey global dune database. Sand dunes are among the most widespread wind features present on Mars. An earlier image from 2017 showed intresting height vs. ripple wavelength trends, but we need a digital terrain model to assess.

Grayscale cutout is less than 5 km across; enhanced color cutout is less than 1 km. For full image including scale bars, visit the source link.

ID: ESP_076988_1165 date: 29 December 2022 altitude: 249 km