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This graph illustrates one way in which the altimeter instrument studies the planet. Click on image for full size version (53K JPG) Image from: NASA/JPL

Mars Global Surveyor carries an instrument which measures the altitudes of things. The instrument is called an altimeter, or "altitude-meter".

The graph to the left shows Mars Global Surveyor's measurement of the size of some of the Martian volcanoes. The altitudes measured by the altimeter are shown in both kilometers and in miles. Shown for comparison is the altitude of the biggest Martian volcano, Olympus Mons. Some of the other volcanoes seem higher than Olympus Mons because they sit on ground level which is higher than the ground level on which Olympus Mons stands.

This graph illustrates one way in which the altimeter instrument studies the planet. Click on image for full size version (53K JPG) Image from: NASA/JPL

Mars Global Surveyor carries an instrument which measures the heights of things. This instrument is called an altimeter, or "altitude-meter".

The picture to the left shows the results returned from Mars Global Surveyor's measurement of the size of some of the Martian volcanoes. The altitudes measured by the spacecraft are shown in both kilometers and in miles. Shown for comparison is the altitude of the biggest Martian volcano, Olympus Mons. Some of the other volcanoes seem higher than Olympus Mons because they sit on ground level which is higher than the ground level on which Olympus Mons stands.

This graph illustrates one way in which the altimeter instrument studies the planet. Click on image for full size version (53K JPG) Image from: NASA/JPL

Mars Global Surveyor carries an instrument which measures the heights of things.

The picture to the left shows the results returned from Mars Global Surveyor's measurement of the size of some of the Martian volcanoes. The altitudes measured by the spacecraft are shown in kilometers and in miles. Shown for comparison is the altitude of the biggest Martian volcano, Olympus Mons. Some of the other volcanoes seem higher than Olympus Mons because they sit on ground level which is higher than the ground level on which Olympus Mons stands.