PIA06277: 'Tennessee' Clues
 Target Name:  Mars
 Is a satellite of:  Sol (our sun)
 Mission:  Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
 Spacecraft:  Opportunity
 Instrument:  Panoramic Camera
 Product Size:  2605 x 1719 pixels (w x h)
 Produced By:  Cornell University 
 Full-Res TIFF:  PIA06277.tif (13.45 MB)
 Full-Res JPEG:  PIA06277.jpg (826.9 kB)

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Original Caption Released with Image:

This false-color image shows the area within "Endurance Crater," currently being investigated by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity. The rover is inspecting a hole it drilled into a flat rock (center) dubbed "Tennessee," which scientists believe may be made up of the same evaporite-rich materials as those found in "Eagle Crater."

The overall geography inside Endurance is more complex than scientists anticipated, with at least three distinct bands of rock visible in front of the rover. Scientists hope to investigate the second and third layers of rock for more clues to Mars' history. This image was taken on sol 133 (June 8, 2004) with the rover's panoramic camera, using the 750-, 530- and 430-nanometer filters.

Image Credit:
NASA/JPL/Cornell

Image Addition Date:
2004-06-16