Ares Vallis

Ares Vallis (Mars Valley in Latin) is a large valley that appears to have been eroded by ancient flows of water. Ares Vallis connects the mountainous Margaritifer Terra with the Chryse Planitia delta. The valley passes through the ancient Xanthe Terra highlands.

Ares Vallis was the chosen location for the 1996 Mars Pathfinder mission. The Sojourner rover explored the border of Ares Vallis with Chryse Planitia.

A panorama of the Ares Vallis landing site of the Mars Pathfinder lander.

Annotated panorama of the Ares Vallis landing site of the Mars Pathfinder lander. Annotations of surrounding features and rocks identified by the Pathfinder mission team.