The Dunes of Mars

The surface of Mars is covered by constantly shifting sand blown by the planet’s winds. This creates an ever-evolving desert landscape with diverse and striking dunes. Loose mounds of sand are found all over Mars, ranging in height from a few dozen feet to higher than some of Earth’s tallest skyscrapers. Over the past 10 years, images taken by the HiRISE instrument aboard NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft have allowed scientists to study Mars’ dunes in unprecedented detail. The enhanced-color views captured from orbit reveal characteristics of their shape, composition, and movements over time, giving clues about the planet’s dynamic atmosphere and current climate. The speeds and directions of Mars’ regional wind patterns, for example, can be estimated by how quickly a dune’s shape changes. Because dune movements erode and expose rock formations that might host ancient habitable environments, understanding the planet’s winds could help researchers identify landing sites for future exploration. Explore the images to learn more.