A simple rationale for a HiWish target is sometimes the best: “An area of mineralogic interest identified by the CRISM instrument, which lacks HiRISE coverage.” Sulfate-rich rock outcrops on Mars may be a good location to search for evidence of past life on the planet. Columbus Crater is located in Terra Sirenum, and is about 119 kilometers in diameter.

ID: ESP_077152_1510
date: 11 January 2023
altitude: 253 km

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_077152_1510
NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
#Mars #science #NASA