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Le 16 juin 2026 de 13:00 à 14:00Campus Lombarderiefalse false
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13h00-14h00
- Plan d'accès
For the past 20 years, the HiRISE camera has been observing Mars with exceptional precision, revealing a planet far more dynamic than previously imagined. From polar avalanches and seasonal ice-related phenomena to valuable clues about the evolution of the martian climate, these observations provide a unique perspective on the history and ongoing transformations of the Red Planet.
Presented by Shane Byrne, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
Long-term high-resolution orbital imaging has led to extraordinary advances in our understanding of Martian ice and its connection to climate. Seasonal icy phenomena, including gully flows, avalanches, and unusual defrosting patterns, provide valuable insights into the processes shaping Mars today. By studying variations observed over a Martian decade, scientists can better understand current climatic conditions and long-term trends.
Observations of layered polar ice deposits have also revealed climate cycles driven by changes in Mars’ orbital parameters, spanning timescales from thousands to millions of years.
In this presentation, Shane Byrne will describe the HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) camera and its ongoing mission to document a dynamic Mars after more than 20 years of observations. Particular attention will be given to avalanches in the north polar regions, one of the most striking examples of active surface processes on the planet today.
HiRISE combines several unique capabilities: exceptionally high spatial resolution, excellent signal-to-noise performance even in polar environments, color imaging that is sensitive to ice, and a near-polar orbit that allows nearly any location on Mars to be imaged within a two-week period. The instrument also provides the stability required to generate high-quality meter-scale digital terrain models.
The scientific impact of HiRISE has been strengthened by the rapid release of its data and by community participation through the HiWISH online targeting tool, which helps ensure that observations continue to address the most relevant scientific questions of our time.
Shane Byrne
Prof. Byrne is a planetary scientist specializing in surface processes, particularly those involving planetary ice. He works with graduate students and postdocs on research areas like Martian ice stability, polar stratigraphy, Ceres ice, and ice-sublimation landforms. Prof. Byrne is the Principal Investigator on the HiRISE camera and Co-Investigaotor on the CaSSIS camera at Mars and a Guest Investigator on the Dawn mission at Ceres. Prof. Byrne also directs the Space Imagery Center, a NASA Regional Planetary Image Facility. The center archives planetary data and conducts outreach events.