Images of space – what’s available online

There’s nothing better for space lovers that seeking (and finding) beautiful images of near and far space objects, some of them in amazing resolutions. I have already mentioned, in another post, Hubble Telescope’s online repository (waiting for James Webb new Space Telescope, of course). Today I wanted to mention NASA Picture of the Day, which every day of the year features something different, adding often good descriptions and even links for further analysis.

This is what I’ve found out on January 4, 2017. Labelled “Hues in a Crater Slope”, it displays in wallpaper resolution size (i.e., good for printing) Mars’s craters and shows how impacts “expose the subsurface materials on the steep slopes of Mars. However, these slopes often experience rockfalls and debris avalanches that keep the surface clean of dust, revealing a variety of hues, like in this enhanced-color image from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, representing different rock types. The bright reddish material at the top of the crater rim is from a coating of the Martian dust. The long streamers of material are from downslope movements. Also revealed in this slope are a variety of bedrock textures, with a mix of layered and jumbled deposits. This sample is typical of the Martian highlands, with lava flows and water-lain materials depositing layers, then broken up and jumbled by many impact events.”

Considering what is going to happen with the Cassini mission this year (the Gran Finale), I’m sure we can expect astonishing pictures in this gallery later in 2017. Worth a bookmark in your favourites.

8 Comments

  1. changotiscali

    I did it, thanks

    Reply
    1. Steph P. Bianchini (Post author)

      well worth it, I promise 🙂

      Reply
  2. ccyager

    Since reading Andy Weir’s “The Martian” and Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars Trilogy last year, I’ve been fascinated with Mars. Thanks! Will bookmark.

    Reply
    1. Steph P. Bianchini (Post author)

      Hi Cinda, Mars is one of the most featured on NASA galleries. You’ll enjoy it!

      Reply
      1. ccyager

        Ugh! I wish I had a LOT more time in my life!

        Reply
        1. Steph P. Bianchini (Post author)

          Tell me about it 😀

          Reply
  3. maddalena@spaceandsorcery

    That’s amazing, thank you so much! Some might say “It’s only a cliff face”, but the fact it’s on Mars makes it nothing short of fascinating… 🙂

    Reply
  4. Steph P. Bianchini (Post author)

    Indeed… Mars cartography is nothing short of amazing. I hope to post something more articulated on this topic as time allows.

    Reply

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