Subtle variations in color look like brush strokes as the lightly frosted terrain reflects light. These variations provide a backdrop to some exotic features referred to colloquially as “spiders.”

The radial channels branching out from a central depression are formed when the seasonal layer of dry ice turns to gas in the spring and erodes the surface, which is a uniquely Martian landform.

This target was identified by the citizen scientists at Planetfour: Terrains .

Written by: Candy Hansen (audio: Tre Gibbs)    (7 December 2016)

More info and image formats at http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_047074_1030

Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona