Overview
The largest volcano in the Solar System is on Mars. Olympus Mons rises 24 kilometers high and measures 550 km across. By comparison, Earth's largest volcano, Mauna Loa in Hawaii, rises 9 km high and measures 120 km across. Such large volcanoes can exist on Mars because of the low gravity and lack of surface tectonic motion.
Olympus Mons is located in the northern section of the Tharsis Highlands near the northern plains. Here is a 3d topographical map of the area. Olympus Mons is in the upper left corner.
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Getting There
Launch from Earth during time period when Earth and Mars are close, every 2 years. Fly to the Red Planet. Land at the base of Olympus Mons then start ascent. See the South Slopes route for more detail.
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When To Climb
Anytime is good on Mars, as long as there are no dust storms or solar flares. The best time to climb would be when Mars and Earth are close in orbit, allowing for a shorter mission which would reduce your radiation exposure.
The Martian winter would be the best season for a ski descent as their is no carbon dioxide snow on the northside during the summer.
Mountain Conditions
Here is a link which provides Martian Weather forecasts provided by Mars Global Surveyor.
Mass Coronal Ejections, Solar Flares, Coronal Holes, and Geomagnetic Storms can be tracked at the Spaceweather.
The daily Martian Weather Report is another good source.
An analysis of the Seasonal Snow Depth could prove useful.
Ideas for a Mars base
Resources
Resources must conserved carefully during an ascent. A system that recycles all fluids including pee and sweat, plus a rebreather system is highly recommended. This system must be as light as possible, and be transported to each base camp.
Crater
The Crater Rim of Olympus Mons is an interesting place. Recent global mapping by the Mars Global Surveyor has not been able to find the highest point on the crater rim. Here is an animation of the crater area.
Here is an overhead shot of the crater...
Here is a wide angle shot...
External Links
- Future trip report by Keith Cowing
- Center of Mars Exploration
CMEX Mars
Mars Concept Maps
Start browsing the Mars Concept Maps!
Atlas - Digital atlases of Mars.
Calendar - Find out what day is it on Mars.
Gallery - Exciting Images from all over Mars.
Mars Surveyor Landing Sites - Landing site candidates in 3-D!
Missions - Human and Robotic Mars Missions and Plans
Movies - Quicktime? movies about Mars and Exploration
Science - Mars Facts, Science, and Essays
- Trip of Pathfinder to Mars
- the nasa site
very good
- hubble
the sky as your never see
- mars express space probe
very nice from esa
- nirgal
interesting
- mars
very interesting and well done
- astrosurf
very nice and good for kids
- cnes
the french nasa
- THEMIS
A "cool" collection of images.
Additions and Corrections
[ Post an Addition or Correction ]
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| chris_goulet | Martian mountaineering gear | |
Voted 10/10 | A portable fusion reactor will be necessary to provide large amounts of energy. This is to extract oxygen from CO2, heat your spacesuit and tent, and recycle your body vapours and fluids for the month-long+ expedition. Spherical inflatable tents will need to be tied down in the howling dust storms. Very important: A bubble tent will be needed for the outhouse. | |
| Posted Dec 24, 2004 8:03 am | ||
| marnold92701 | Untitled Comment | |
Hasn't voted | No Wilderness Permits are required. | |
| Posted Jan 18, 2006 1:40 am | ||
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