Blowin' In The Wind, Plume coming from a crater Options

[fallofrain]

While browsing images from the MOC, I came across this photograph. I contacted the Planetary Science Institute and the editor of an astronomy magazine about it. Their belief was that it is probably dust blowing from a crater. We all agreed that it is probably not a dust devil. I have no reason to doubt their conclusion. It is probably correct. But the romantic in me wants it to be something a little more unusual. An ice geyser, perhaps, or venting gas.

I've had at least a cursory look at almost all MOC images. I've never seen anything like this. Dust devils tend to move in nearly vertical columns. This appears to be blowing downwind from a stable point source. There is no evidence I can see of other dust features (dunes or devil tracks) in the frame. The width of this photo is 2.97 km. It's cropped from MOC image R1801150. Other than cropping, it hasn't been enhanced in any way.

I wanted to post this to see if anyone would like to make comments. So how about it? Any ideas?

[ElkGroveDan]

I wanted to post this to see if anyone would like to make comments. So how about it? Any ideas?

In these days of Photoshop and hoaxes everywhere, it's probably a good idea to also reference the original MGS link.

I'm not suggesting that you have created a hoax, but it's just good practice. It saves everyone a lot of time, especailly those of us who would like to locate the original without doing an extensive search.

[fallofrain]

In these days of Photoshop and hoaxes everywhere, it's probably a good idea to also reference the original MGS link. 

I'm not suggesting that you have created a hoax, but it's just good practice.  It saves everyone a lot of time, especailly those of us who would like to locate the original without doing an extensive search.

I appreciate your concern about hoaxes. That's why I included the reference to MOC photo R1801150. The area is to the SE of the Hellas Basin. You are absolutely right about referencing the link. I'll see if I can cut and paste it from the MSSS site.