Stunning Blue Dune Discovered in 'Field of Dunes' on Mars

Mowich

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Dec 25, 2005
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In a field of dunes, one shows stunning azure in enhanced color.
NASA/JPL/University of Arizona


NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has discovered a stunning blue dune, illustrating that Mars is more than just a red planet.There are sand dunes across the surface of Mars, especially in crater floors. In the bottom of Lyot Crater, there is a “ field of dunes.” According to a NASA press release, one dune is made of finer material and/or has a different composition from the surrounding, greyish dunes.

NASA launched the MRO into space in 2005 to study the history of water on Mars. It takes pictures regularly and sends stunningly colorful images of the surface of Mars to earth. The machine uses a powerful telecommunications system, or “ interplanetary internet ” as NASA calls it to send the high-resolution images to NASA. NASA is required to make the images public and posts them on Flickr.

The images show a diverse, but apparently lifeless landscape. With enhanced color, viewers can see reds, yellows, blues and purples, as well as a variety of different geological shapes on the surface of the planet. Weather, clouds, winds, asteroid impacts, dust devils, storms, and even the momentum of the planet change the landscape to create interesting shapes. The climate of Mars averages around minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit with an atmosphere around 100 thinner than earth’s.



Parts of Mars are covered with crater blemishes.
NASA/JPL/University of Arizona


Currently, there is a dust storm on Mars, blocking out sunlight with red dust. It’s unclear whether the Mars rover “Opportunity,” which is solar-powered has survived the storm, as earth has lost contact.

Stunning Blue Dune Discovered in 'Field of Dunes' on Mars

More fantastic images of Mars

 

darkbeaver

the universe is electric
Jan 26, 2006
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with an atmosphere around 100 thinner than earth’s.
So the so called wind is electric. The presenst huge dust storm reflects voltage , there,s very little atmosphere to make any blow but electric, you can huff and puff but you can,t blow on Mars, period, and foreve, there is no wind to speak of.

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spaminator

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Oct 26, 2009
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I see dunes of blue red dust too
louis Armstrong
;)

this is something you would see once in a blue dune.
;)
 

spaminator

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I hope one day to see hi res pics of the martian pyramids. :) :cool: ;)
 
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Danbones

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Sep 23, 2015
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try cydonia...from the correct angle...



Here is a nice "accidental" pyramid shaped mountain...
;)
note the meteorite wholes around the damaged perimeters.
 

Johnnny

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Jun 8, 2007
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I wonder if it's a "lighter" silica mineral compared to the rusted sands that surround them?

Like the wind appears to be the controlling factor and the underlying sand doesn't seem to mix with it which is why I'm thinking the underlying sand is heavier...
 
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