Mars is seen here on 15 March 2012 at 05:11 UT subtending an apparent angle of 13.7 arc seconds and shining at magnitude -1.1. The rapid approach of summer in the northern hemisphere of Mars shows the North Polar Cap shrinking at lower right with the dark Lowell Band surrounding it, and with the Lemuria detachment of the polar cap next to the band. The Martian Solstice occurred on March 30, 2012 for this aphelic apparition. Orographic clouds can be seen over Elysium Planitia in the center of the disk and over Nix Olympica on the edge of the northwestern limb at lower left. Gomer Sinus are the two protrusions from Mare Cimmerium above Elysium at top. Syrtis Major is the large dark area rotating into view at upper right. Clouds can also be see in Lybia next to Syrtis Major. Alconius Nodus is the small dark tadpole-like feature at about the 3 o'clock position on the right side of the planet. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Lodriguss, Gerard |
Bildgröße: | 3300 px × 2550 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |