South Polar Ice

Today's VIS image shows part of the south polar cap. This image was taken at the start of southern summer, and the surface frost has sublimated away. The cap was created over millions of years with deposition of ice and dust during different seasons, creating layers. The ice surface contains several different textures which can be seen in this image. The south polar cap is called Australe Planum. Orbit Number: 89638 Latitude: -86.8307 Longitude: 296.694 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2022-02-28 01:53 https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA25455