NASA's Opportunity takes to the open road on Mars

William Atkins
Thursday, 28 August 2008 21:01

Science - Space

The NASA Mars Global Surveyor and the 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft first discovered hematite on Mars while orbiting the planet. The hematite that Opportunity will look at is present in a spherule (tiny sphere) shape (which scientists call “blueberries” even though they are silver-gray in color).

The cobbles (the various types of rocks) on the Martian plain came to rest there after being ejected when objects like meteors and asteroids impacted Mars and made large craters like Victoria Crater.

The cobbles are said to be “fist-size and larger” and are important in learning more about the geological history of Mars.

State University of New York scientist Scott McLennan (planning leader for the MER team) stated, “Our experience tells us there's lots of diversity among the cobbles. We want to get a better characterization of them. A statistical sampling from examining more of them will be important for understanding the geology of the area."

The Mars robotic vehicle Opportunity entered Victoria Crater on September 11, 2007. The downward layers of Victoria Crater, near the base of a cliff named “Cape Verde,” were analyzed by Opportunity and found to be formed by deposits from the wind, which were later modified by groundwater.

McLennan stated, “The patterns broadly resemble what we saw at the smaller craters Opportunity explored earlier. By looking deeper into the layering, we are looking farther back in time. The crater stretches approximately a half mile in diameter and is deeper than any other seen by Opportunity.”

The NASA media report quotes JPL scientist John Callas, MER project manager, "Both rovers [Opportunity and Spirit] show signs of aging, but they are both still capable of exciting exploration and scientific discovery.”

Further information about Opportunity and Spirit, and the Mars Exploration Rover mission, please go to “NASA Rovers.”