Mars Spirit Rover Ends Primary Mission

Yahoo! News ^ | 4/5/04 | Andrew Bridges - AP

[NormsRevenge]

Left Panoramic Camera Non-linearized Full frame EDR acquired on Sol 90 of Spirit's mission to Gusev Crater at approximately 14:12:29 Mars local solar time, camera commanded to use Filter 2 (753 nm). NASA/JPL/Cornell

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[NormsRevenge]

FRom Opportunity..

Right Panoramic Camera Non-linearized Full frame EDR acquired on Sol 70 of Opportunity's mission to Meridiani Planum at approximately 15:49:09 Mars local solar time, camera commanded to use Filter 1 (436 nm). NASA/JPL/Cornell

[NormsRevenge]

[Crazieman]

Opportunity's site is just so amazing because it is so different from any other site we've landed on.

[GeronL]

BUMP!

[cripplecreek]

Those pics from Meridiani are the most interesting ones. When Opportunity was sittng inside the crater it looked like a pretty dull landscape. Now that Opportunity sits above the crater the landscape looks like there are all kinds of similar craters covering the ground.

[NormsRevenge]

Looks like where they filmed Dune .. ;-)

[NormsRevenge]

I'm glad these little fellars are all checked and and ready to motor around a bit.

Spirit is headed toward a range of hills nearby, I hope it has enough ooomph to get some elevation. should be some good shots.

[NormsRevenge]

checked out and

[NormsRevenge]

[cripplecreek]

Looks like Opportunity will have an easy time in transit, should cover some real distance.

I kind of wish they had mounted telescopes on the rovers for some long distance viewing.

[NormsRevenge]

Opportunity will be heading for the Endurance crater in due time. I'm not sure how far away it is.

[ElkGroveDan]

Now that Opportunity sits above the crater the landscape looks like there are all kinds of similar craters covering the ground.

Actually I don't believe most of these depressions on the Meridiani plains are impact craters. I suspect they represent a kind of sinkhole.

Note the light colored rock protrusions similar to the layering back at the crater. It would appear that much or all of Meridiani is made of this light sedimentary rock, and the hematite sand/gravel covers it (except at Endurance Crater where we are going to have a sedimentary geology field day when we get there).

Where the rock was weak and had voids it has collapsed creating the depressions and exposed outcrops. On Earth sinkholes are created in a similar way. Water dissolves limestone substrate creating voids and caverns. Where the void approaches the surface, the week layer then collapses.

I'm not suggesting there is water there now, but the mechanism could have created these Martian sinkholes eons ago.

My guess is that they are going to take the driving a little slower. I bet they will also avoid these little craters for fear of causing any crumbling or collapse that could be disastrous for the MER Rover since it doesn't come equipped with a roll-bar.

[eddie willers]

Wow!....Where are the rocks?

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Sidewinder tracks:

[cripplecreek]

I think you're right Dan.

[Fitzcarraldo]

Yes, there is concern these may be sinkholes at Meridiani. Interesting if true - brings into mind caves and underground water flows.

[Phil V.]

Dan, when we make a panorama it looks more complex than just a sinkholes. . . . wind carved or water carved????

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