- Original Caption Released with Image:
-
This image shows the hematite abundance map for a portion of the
Meridiani Planum rock outcrop near where the Mars Exploration Rover
Opportunity landed. It was acquired by the rover's miniature thermal
emission spectrometer instrument from a spot called "Echo." Portions
of the inner crater wall in this region appear rich in hematite (red).
The sharp boundary from hematite-rich to hematite-poor (yellow and green)
surfaces corresponds to a change in the surface texture and color. The
hematite-rich surfaces have ripple-like forms suggesting wind transported
hematite to these surfaces. The bounce marks produced during landing at
the base of the slope on the left are low in hematite (blue). The
hematite grains that originally covered the surface were pushed below
the surface by the lander, exposing a soil that has less hematite.
- Image Credit:
-
NASA/JPL/Cornell/ASU
Image Addition Date: -
2004-03-12
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