@The camera (MOC) was operated during a 46 hour period from
19 Aug to 21 Aug on the way, and recently eight images secured at the period
were released including those on 20 Aug from the following MSSS's URL:
http://www.msss.com/mars/global_surveyor/camera/images/index.html
@ Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS), established in 1990 by Dr M MALIN and others, flew its first instrument into space in 1992, and since then it was chosen as an enterprise to provide the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) for MGS, and also for the coming 1988 Mars Surveyor Orbiter and Lander. MSSS operates the MOC from its facilities in San Diego, CA. The above web-site shows already several close-up images of the Martian surfaces.
@ Here we pick out the image on 19 August at 11:40GMT where the sub-MGS point was (172.4°W, 23.6°N) and the image on 21 August at 9:49 GMT where the sub-MGS point was (127.2°W, 23.6°N): In the former, Propontis I is just after dawn, and the Tharsis ridges are near the p limb; the Montes appearing still as dark spots. The crater of Olympus Mons is evident inside a dark ring. In the latter, the Tharsis Montes are more inside, the shadowy area of Arsia Mons being impressive. Olympus Mons quite near the morning terminator. This image shows well the west of Solis L: Phasis looks to be present.
@Note however that these images are never from a terrestrial basis: All
Montes are positioned at the left-hand side but show no more than their
aspects in the morning, and never afternoon.
@ The MSSS web-site also includes the on-the-way images at CLM=262°W and CLM=352°W on 19 Aug, and at CLM=037°W on 21 Aug. The size of the Mars images on
21 Aug is larger than that on 19 Aug by about 10%.
(Mk & Mn)