Part of the layered terrain at 75 degrees S. latitude.
Click on image for full size
Image from: Malin Space Science Systems

The Mars '98 Landing Site

The Mars '98 lander was supposed to land in the south polar region of Mars. This image of layered terrain near the south pole was provided by the Mars Global Surveyor mission.

In the image, ground fog obscures part of the landscape. Nevertheless, it can be seen that there are swirling bands of eroded, layered rock present. These rocky layers seem to have a familiar form, somewhat like the edges of Alaskan ice sheets. The landscape seems to be more rugged and geologically diverse than scientists had expected.

The Mars Global Surveyor mission took more images of possible landing sites for Mars '98, but unfortunately, communication with the Mars '98 lander was lost, so the probe never got to land on Mars!

Last modified April 27, 2001 by Jennifer Bergman.

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