JPL
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
JPL Logo
JPL Logo
Image

Context Camera Views an Impact Crater in Amazonis Planitia

Oct. 27, 2022
This meteoroid impact crater on Mars was discovered using the black-and-white Context Camera aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The Context Camera took these before-and-after images of the impact in a region of Mars called Amazonis Planitia.

click here for larger version of figure A for PIA25584
Figure A

click here for larger version of figure B for PIA25584
Figure B

Click on images for larger versions

This meteoroid impact crater on Mars was discovered using the black-and-white Context Camera aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). The Context Camera took this image showing the impact, which occurred Dec. 24, 2021, in a region called Amazonis Planitia.

Relying on data from the Mars Color Imager camera, also aboard MRO, along with seismic data from NASA's InSight lander, scientists were able to determine when this particular crater formed.

Looking closely at the crater's rim, white specks could be detected that suggested the presence of water ice (which was later confirmed by MRO's High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, or HiRISE, camera). Debris thrown during the impact can be seen reaching as far as 23 miles (37 kilometers) away. The disturbance seen in the surface suggests the meteoroid was traveling towards the northeast when it hit the ground, throwing the longest streaks of debris in that direction.

Figure A shows an annotated version of the image.

Figure B shows a before-and-after comparison of this location on Mars.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of Caltech in Pasadena, California, manages the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Project for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Malin Space Science Systems in San Diego built and operates the Context Camera. Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver built the spacecraft.

Download JPG
Download TIFF
Mission
Target
  • Mars
Spacecraft
  • Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)
Instrument
  • Context Camera (CTX)
Credit
NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Keep Exploring

A Bear on Mars?

A New Impact Event

Gully Activity in Triolet Crater

Going with the Flow

Channels on a Streamlined Island of Kasei Vallis

Tectonic, Volcanic and Fluvial Activity?

Mysterious Crater Deposits

Dunes in Hellas

HiRISE Views a Mars Impact Crater Surrounded by Water Ice

Context Camera Views a Mars Impact Crater in Tempe Terra

Related Topic

News .

NASA’s Perseverance Rover Completes Mars Sample Depot

Event Feb. 16, 2023 .

Perseverance: Two Years on Mars

Audio .

Episode 11: Digging In: When Rovers Get Dirt on Mars

Event Jan. 26, 2023 .

Student Webinar – Make a Cardboard Rover

Mission .

InSight

News .

NASA Explores a Winter Wonderland on Mars

Video .

What Is Winter Like on Mars? (Mars News Report)

News .

NASA’s Perseverance Rover Deposits First Sample on Mars Surface

News .

NASA Retires InSight Mars Lander Mission After Years of Science

News .

NASA’s Perseverance Rover to Begin Building Martian Sample Depot

About JPL
Who We Are
Executive Council
Directors
Careers
Internships
The JPL Story
JPL Achievements
Documentary Series
Annual Reports
Missions
Current
Past
Future
All
News
All
Earth
Solar System
Stars and Galaxies
Subscribe to JPL News
Galleries
Images
Videos
Audio
Podcasts
Apps
Visions of the Future
Slice of History
Robotics at JPL
Events
Lecture Series
Team Competitions
Speakers Bureau
Calendar
Visit
Public Tours
Virtual Tour
Directions and Maps
Topics
JPL Life
Solar System
Mars
Earth
Climate Change
Exoplanets
Stars and Galaxies
Robotics
More
Asteroid Watch
NASA's Eyes Visualizations
Universe - Internal Newsletter
Social Media
Get the Latest from JPL
Follow Us

JPL is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by Caltech.

More from JPL
Careers Education Science & Technology Acquisitions JPL Store
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
Acquisitions
JPL Store
Related NASA Sites
Basics of Spaceflight
Climate Kids
Earth / Global Climate Change
Exoplanet Exploration
Mars Exploration
Solar System Exploration
Space Place
NASA's Eyes Visualization Project
Voyager Interstellar Mission
NASA
Caltech
Privacy
Image Policy
FAQ
Feedback
Site Managers: Veronica McGregor, Randal Jackson
Site Editors: Tony Greicius, Naomi Hartono
CL#: 21-0018