Cosmic Storm

Image Title: Cosmic Storm
Source: Mars Global Surveyor

Description

This image confronts us with a cosmic whirlpool. I leave it to the viewer to decide the exact nature of this storm.

Source Image Background

The source for this image is a Mars Global Surveyor Narrow Angle view of half a crater. It was the sedimentary deposits present in the crater that reminded me somewhat of the spiral structure of a galaxy, but mostly of the accretion disk that surrounds a black hole. The crater is a small part of the Mars Global Surveyor image number M04-01289 that was acquired on August 16, 1999. The location of the feature is at approximately 2.2º N, 357º W in northern Sinus Meridiani.

Image Processing:

Processing of this image was done using a combination of Adobe Photoshop and Bryce. The raw MGS image was relatively clean so did not require extensive work to make it suitable for use as a data source for the final image. The bulk of the work lay in converting an image of half a crater into an image of a cosmic storm, complete with nebular clouds.

Wallpaper Download

I have created a low resolution version of Cosmic Storm for use as a desktop wallpaper. Note that this wallpaper version is made available for your personal use only. It is not to be modified or redistributed in any form by any means. All rights are retained by the artist.

Cosmic Storm, 1024 x 768 Wallpaper Image by Jim Plaxco