JavaScript is required
JPL Logo
Image

North Polar Ice

Feb. 3, 2005
NASA's Mars Global Surveyor shows detailed, pitted nature of the martian north polar residual ice cap. As water ice sublimes away a little bit each summer, dark-floored pits have formed, trapping dust and other debris.

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image illustrates very well the detailed, pitted nature of the north polar residual ice cap. As water ice sublimes away a little bit each summer, dark-floored pits have formed, trapping dust and other debris.

Location near: 85.1°N, 284.6°W
200 m scale bar = ~219 yards
Illumination from: lower left
Season: Northern Summer

Keep Exploring