File:Ice Rich Flows Near Hellas ESP 025646 1440.jpg
The time of year combined with MRO’s orbit and the slope combine to provide the geometry for an image with almost glancing (very low sun) illumination. Such low-sun lighting enhances subtle topographic features and makes a dramatic image.
Other flows in this region of Mars, long thought to be due to flowing ice, have been confirmed to be icy by the Shallow Radar (SHARAD) experiment on MRO.
Written by: Alfred McEwen (7 March 2012)