This observation features an amazing variety of surface terrain and araneiform structures that we dub “spiders.” These typically form due to sublimation, where a solid transforms directly into a gas, in this case, carbon dioxide ice. When this occurs, it disturbs the surface and exposes the darker material underneath. Other formations can take on the shape of small, radial channels that look more spider-like to our eye.

ID: ESP_065230_0995
date: 26 June 2020
altitude: 246 km

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_065230_0995
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
#Mars #science #NASA