Mars orbiter clicks the biggest canyon!
Recommended for Middle Grades
The pictures of the biggest known canyon in the solar system have been clicked from the European Space Agency‘s Mars Express orbiter. The ESA spacecraft captured a pair of gouges on the planet’s surface. This surface is a part of the Valles Marineris which is a system of canyons and it is known as the Grand Canyon of Mars.
About Maritan Grand Canyon
Valles Marineris is known as Martian Grand Canyon. It is 10 times bigger and 200 times wider than the vast canyon system found in North America. On Earth, we have nothing that comes close to comparing to Valles Marineris.
The images delivered by Mars Express include sections of two chasmata, Ius on left and Tithonium on right. A close study of this natural structure will help scientists to learn about the geology of Mars and its history as well.
Images from the Mars Express
The images from the Mars Express make the canyon look shallow but the chasmata look large. Scientists believe that this canyon formed when Mars had tectonic plates. Recent research says that the canyon system formed as a result of the crack between plates.
The Mars orbiter is equipped with 3D imaging capabilities which reveal that canyons can reach around 7 kilometres deeper than the Grand Canyon.
Making the conclusions would be too quick. We need to study more about Mars in order to plan for future Mars missions.
0 (Please login to give a Curious Clap to your friend.)