At least three different kinds of rocks await scientific analysis at the
place where NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit will likely spend several
months of Martian winter. They are visible in this picture, which the
panoramic camera on Spirit acquired during the rover's 809th sol, or
Martian day, of exploring Mars (April 12, 2006). Paper-thin layers of
light-toned, jagged-edged rocks protrude horizontally from beneath small
sand drifts; a light gray rock with smooth, rounded edges sits atop the
sand drifts; and several dark gray to black, angular rocks with vesicles
(small holes) typical of hardened lava lie scattered across the sand.
This view is a false-color rendering that combines images taken through
the panoramic camera's 753-nanometer, 535-nanometer, and 432-nanometer
filters.
