Many of Mars’ geological mysteries, all in one photo
Click for full image.
Today’s cool image is fun because it contains a plethora of Martian mysteries, all packed into a very small space. The photo to the right was taken on April 29, 2021 by the high resolution camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). I have rotated, cropped, and reduced it to post here.
The uncaptioned picture was labeled “Small Channel Winding between Knobs in Tartarus Colles.” The knobs, which can be seen on either side of the thin channel within the canyon, are actually a major Martian puzzle. Tartarus Colles has a lot of them, and planetary geologists are not really sure how they formed. One 2009 paper [pdf] suggested that the cones were formed by the violent interaction of lava and ice. This earlier paper [pdf] hypothesized that both water and lava had to be flowing over the surface at the same time, producing the steam and the energy that popped the lava cones, kind of like the small convection bubbles seen when tomato sauce simmers.
The scientific literature however is not deep, and there appears to be much uncertainty about this conclusion.
The photo however contains other major Martian puzzles.
For example, the canyon slopes on either side of the channel are filled with what look like either slope streaks or recurring slope lineae, both Martian features that are unique to the Red Planet. At first scientists thought that they were seeing some form of salt water brine seepage coming out of cliff faces. Now they are tending to favor the theory that some form of weird dust avalanches cause the streaks.
Neither theory is proven or accounts for all the facts.
The channel itself is thought to be a flood lava flow, one of many that seem to cover the entire region between the two giant shield volcanoes Elsyium and Olympus Mons, shown on the overview map to the right. The white dot marks the location in Tartarus Colles of this image. The four red dots about five hundred miles to the north are the four prime candidate landing sites for SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft.
The latitude is 24 degrees north, placing this in Mars’ dry equatorial regions. Though lava therefore is the likely explanation for these flows and channels, not water, the specifics of the geology remain puzzling. The reason for a narrow inner channel within the larger one is unclear, though this is might be related to the fact that Martian lava moves much much faster than on Earth, due to the low gravity.
I am sure there are further mysteries buried in this single picture. The deeper you look, the more you will see.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Click for full image.
Today’s cool image is fun because it contains a plethora of Martian mysteries, all packed into a very small space. The photo to the right was taken on April 29, 2021 by the high resolution camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). I have rotated, cropped, and reduced it to post here.
The uncaptioned picture was labeled “Small Channel Winding between Knobs in Tartarus Colles.” The knobs, which can be seen on either side of the thin channel within the canyon, are actually a major Martian puzzle. Tartarus Colles has a lot of them, and planetary geologists are not really sure how they formed. One 2009 paper [pdf] suggested that the cones were formed by the violent interaction of lava and ice. This earlier paper [pdf] hypothesized that both water and lava had to be flowing over the surface at the same time, producing the steam and the energy that popped the lava cones, kind of like the small convection bubbles seen when tomato sauce simmers.
The scientific literature however is not deep, and there appears to be much uncertainty about this conclusion.
The photo however contains other major Martian puzzles.
For example, the canyon slopes on either side of the channel are filled with what look like either slope streaks or recurring slope lineae, both Martian features that are unique to the Red Planet. At first scientists thought that they were seeing some form of salt water brine seepage coming out of cliff faces. Now they are tending to favor the theory that some form of weird dust avalanches cause the streaks.
Neither theory is proven or accounts for all the facts.
The channel itself is thought to be a flood lava flow, one of many that seem to cover the entire region between the two giant shield volcanoes Elsyium and Olympus Mons, shown on the overview map to the right. The white dot marks the location in Tartarus Colles of this image. The four red dots about five hundred miles to the north are the four prime candidate landing sites for SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft.
The latitude is 24 degrees north, placing this in Mars’ dry equatorial regions. Though lava therefore is the likely explanation for these flows and channels, not water, the specifics of the geology remain puzzling. The reason for a narrow inner channel within the larger one is unclear, though this is might be related to the fact that Martian lava moves much much faster than on Earth, due to the low gravity.
I am sure there are further mysteries buried in this single picture. The deeper you look, the more you will see.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Readers: the rules for commenting!
No registration is required. I welcome all opinions, even those that strongly criticize my commentary.
However, name-calling and obscenities will not be tolerated. First time offenders who are new to the site will be warned. Second time offenders or first time offenders who have been here awhile will be suspended for a week. After that, I will ban you. Period.
Note also that first time commenters as well as any comment with more than one link will be placed in moderation for my approval. Be patient, I will get to it.