I was listening to a press conference a day or two ago via NASA TV online and they suggested that they might be able to roll only one wheel into "sleepy hollow" to see if it was solid enough to drive on or not. Also, if it turns out that the dark marks inside "sleepy hollow" are indeed bounce marks from the airbags, then it should be safe enough to drive on.
I do agree though, they should be careful. Nothing would be worse than to get that rover caught somewhere.
I agree 100%+ !!!
Looking at the data from Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Current & Past) and of past spacecrafts spectrometer readings and reports. It shows
the Mars equator to be warm at times.
http://tes.asu.edu Look at the daytime temperature readings near the equator , which is where Spirit is located (14 S & 175 W). At times
you can see very dark red, which is @ 20C+ that is @ 68 degrees fahrenhect on surface.
The Mars Spirit rover have a Mini-Thermal Emission Spectrometer , which detects the infrared light, or heat,
emitted by objects.
Red is heat from ground, and Sleepy Hollow area is redish, which means heat, the next question is "what is the temp readings?"
Here's the data and current readings of said area....
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/mars/mera/040109minites1.html This might explain the oily /mud/sand near lander ???
Don't know..vet out