Russell is a
crater on
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System, only being larger than Mercury. In the English language, Mars is named for the Roman god of war. Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin at ...
, located in the
Noachis quadrangle
The Noachis quadrangle is one of a series of list of quadrangles on Mars, 30 quadrangle maps of Mars used by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Research Program. The Noachis quadrangle is also referred to as MC-27 (Mars Cha ...
at 54.9° south latitude and 347.6° west longitude. It measures approximately 135 kilometers in diameter and was named after American astronomer
Henry Norris Russell
Henry Norris Russell ForMemRS HFRSE FRAS (October 25, 1877 – February 18, 1957) was an American astronomer who, along with Ejnar Hertzsprung, developed the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram (1910). In 1923, working with Frederick Saunders, he d ...
(1877–1957).
Description
Debris flows have been observed on some of the dunes in this crater. Some researchers believe that they may be caused by liquid water. Liquid water could be stable for short periods of time in the summer in the southern hemisphere of Mars. These gully-like debris flows may be due to small amounts of ice melting. Another idea is that chunks of dry ice form on the dunes during the cold winter, then slide down in the spring when it is warmer. Experiments have demonstrated that carbon dioxide from the thawing dry ice forms a lubricating layer under pieces of dry ice, making it easy for the process to take place.
Image:Noachis Map.JPG, Quadrangle map of Noachis labeled with major features. Russell Crater is near the bottom left.
Russellcratermap.jpg, Topographical map showing location of Russell Crater and other nearby craters
Image:Russel Crater Dust Devil Changes.JPG, Russell Crater dust devil changes, as seen by HiRISE
High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment is a camera on board the '' Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter'' which has been orbiting and studying Mars since 2006. The 65 kg (143 lb), US$40 million instrument was built under the direction ...
. Click on image to see changes in dust devil tracks in just 3 months.
Gullies on dunes
Gullies are found on some dunes. These are somewhat different from gullies in other places, like the walls of craters. Gullies on dunes seem to keep the same width for a long distance and often just end with a pit, instead of an apron. Many of these gullies are found on dunes in Russell (Martian crater).
[McEwen, A., et al. 2017. Mars The Pristine Beauty of the Red Planet. University of Arizona Press. Tucson.]
ESP 020217 1255dunechannels.jpg, Wide view of dunes in Russell Crater, as seen by HiRISE Many narrow gullies are visible.
20217 1255dunechannelsclose.jpg, Close view of the end of gullies in Russell Crater, as seen by HiRISE Note: These type of gullies do not usually end with an apron. The location is Noachis quadrangle
The Noachis quadrangle is one of a series of list of quadrangles on Mars, 30 quadrangle maps of Mars used by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Research Program. The Noachis quadrangle is also referred to as MC-27 (Mars Cha ...
.
20217 1255dunechannelsclosetop.jpg, Close view of the end of gullies in Russell Crater, as seen by HiRISE
ESP 020217 1255dunesclosecolor.jpg, Close, color view of the end of gullies in Russell Crater, as seen by HiRISE
See also
*
List of craters on Mars
References
External links
VEDIE et al., 2008 : Laboratory simulations of Martian gullies on the Russell crater sand dunes
{{DEFAULTSORT:Russell (Martian Crater)
Noachis quadrangle
Impact craters on Mars