![The south polar region of Mars in southern spring, in an image taken by Mars Global Surveyor on …[Credits : NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems]](http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/18/75418-004-3462535A.jpg)
The south polar region of Mars in southern spring, in an image taken by Mars Global Surveyor on September 12, 2001. The permanent carbon dioxide cap—the bright area in the centre (about 420 km [260 miles] across)—will remain through the coming summer, while the larger carbon dioxide frost cap spanning most of the image will shrink and eventually disappear until autumn.
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