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Topography and surface Features of Mars—Summary*
Author(s) -
Binder Alan B.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/rs005i002p00479
Subject(s) - geology , mars exploration program , radar , planet , remote sensing , lineament , elevation (ballistics) , radar imaging , geodesy , astrobiology , seismology , tectonics , computer science , geometry , astronomy , physics , mathematics , telecommunications
Radar ranging data taken along the +21.5° parallel of Mars have shown conclusively that elevation differences of up to 11 km occur on the planet. The highest areas observed are desert regions; the maria lie in low areas or on slopes. The canals identified in the radar data all occur in broad and frequently deep valleys which are related to a planet‐wide lineament system. It was found that the topographic contours based on the radar data readily fit the visual surface features even in the areas where the features are very complex.