The Week in SpaceSeptember 6-12, 2010
Southern Exposure The Viking 2 spacecraft, like its twin, Viking 1, was really two spacecraft in one: an orbiter and a lander. Launched thirty-five years ago this week, Viking 2 entered orbit around Mars in August 1976, and the lander touched down at Utopia Planitia the following month. For nearly three years, the Viking 2 orbiter circled Mars in a highly-inclined orbit that allowed it to pass over the Martian poles. In this mosaic of eighteen Viking 2 orbiter images, the south pole of Mars is located just off the lower left edge of the polar cap. The large crater near the right edge is about sixty miles wide. When these images were taken, the south residual polar cap was nearing its final stage of retreat just prior to the spring equinox. It is about 240 miles across and consists mainly of carbon-dioxide frost. Image credit: NASA / JPL / USGS Weekly CalendarSeptember 6-12, 2010Holidays - Sky Events - Space History
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