Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Space1 Mars Connect - Changing Face of Mars

Mars map by Schiaparelli 1800s
Mars Connect
The Changing Face of Mars
Mars - Amateur Astronomer Telescopes
Over the years, the face of Mars has dramatically changed, due to advances in observing equipment and the invention of new technology. 

Maps from the 1800s do not resemble maps in 1970. Maps in 1970 do not resemble the maps of 2018. In the 1800s, Mars maps were based on visual observations and hand drawn. By 1970, maps were based on telescope photo-graphs taken with film and filters. The advent of the Hubble Space Telescope in April of 1990 again changed the appearance of Mars Maps.

Mars Hubble Space Telescope 2003
The continual introduction of spacecraft to Mars and landers helped create very high resolution views with many craters, volcanoes and polar cap detail. When comparing a modern view of Mars with a historical view, it may be challenging to identify specific regions.

Also over the years, Mars has been ravaged with global dust storms that change the appearance of the surface. Today, one has a choice of many different and highly specific Mars maps.
Mars Viking Spacecraft