Quick Photo Insights
A high-resolution colour photo of the surface of Mars was taken by Viking Lander 2 at its Utopia Planitia landing site on May 18, 1979, showing a thin coating of water ice on the rocks and soil.
Scientists believe that dust particles in the atmosphere pick up bits of solid water and carbon dioxide freezes and adheres to the particles, causing them to sink.
The surface then evaporates the carbon dioxide, leaving behind the water and dust. The ice seen in the picture is extremely thin, perhaps no more than one-thousandth of an inch thick.
Curated Resources
>>Images taken by the Viking Mission