- Original Caption Released with Image:
-
This figure shows spectra taken by the Mars
Exploration Rover Opportunity's Moessbauer spectrometer at various
spots in "Eagle Crater." From top to bottom, the spectra represent soil
measurements taken from the center of the crater and out to the rim. The
top spectrum taken on sol 56 near the center of the crater shows a
basaltic mineral composition and only minor amounts of hematite. Basalts
are volcanic minerals and hematite is an iron-bearing mineral often
formed in water. Moving closer to the rim, the spectra show increasing
amounts of hematite with the "Punaluu" site containing the highest
amounts seen to date on Mars. Only minor basaltic components are seen
in this sample. The corresponding microscopic image of Punaluu
shows a high density of "blueberries," indicating that these sphere-like
grains are responsible for the observed high levels of hematite.
- Image Credit:
-
NASA/JPL/Cornell/USGS/University of Mainz
Image Addition Date: -
2004-03-26
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