Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Posted on 09/27/2006 12:33:59 PM PDT by Mike Fieschko
NASA's Mars rover Opportunity reached the rim of "Victoria Crater" in Mars' Meridiani Planum region with a 26-meter (85-foot) drive during the rover's 951st Martian day, or sol (Sept. 26, 2006). After the drive, the rover's navigation camera took the three exposures combined into this view of the crater's interior. This crater has been the mission's long-term destination for the past 21 Earth months.A half mile in the distance one can see about 20 percent of the far side of the crater framed by the rocky cliffs in the foreground to the left and right of the image. The rim of the crater is composed of alternating promontories, rocky points towering approximately 70 meters (230 feet) above the crater floor, and recessed alcoves. The bottom of the crater is covered by sand that has been shaped into ripples by the Martian wind.
The position at the end of the sol 951 drive is about six meters from the lip of an alcove called "Duck Bay." The rover team planned a drive for sol 952 that would move a few more meters forward, plus more imaging of the near and far walls of the crater.
Victoria Crater is about five times wider than "Endurance Crater," which Opportunity spent six months examining in 2004, and about 40 times wider than "Eagle Crater," where Opportunity first landed.
This view is presented as a cylindrical projection with geometric seam correction.
Source: NASA
LOL!
I already know Victoria's Secret... I'll give you a hint....
You ever see "The Crying Game"?
It's a very nice picture, but they should have sent a color camera.
I'd like to explore Victoria's secret crater. Oh, wait, this is an astronomy thread.
True, but my "scoreboard" is only for the current round of missions (I.E., last 15 years or so).
FYI, those failures we've had on Mars I'm 'attributing' to the fictional 'Martian Air Defenses'. :)
What I would like to see is some sort of rover that can range over long distances, probably airborne. It wouldn't be able to get down and rasp at the rocks but I want a good look at the canyons.
The "Karl Rover"...releases this photo just in time for the November elections.
Beautiful. Check out the ripples in the sand at the bottom.
NASA Scientists Excited by Victoria's Secret
It's only a matter of time now that Opportunity has reached the crater.
It probably isn't remarkable but my car lock remote is now 10 years old and still works and I have never changed the battery in it. The vehicle itself however has had plenty of maintenance on it.
Succesfull US Missions to Mars: Opportunity, Spirit, Mars Odyssey, Pathfinder, Global Surveyor, Viking 2, Viking 1, Mariner 9, Mariner 7, Mariner 6, Mariner 4.
Total Failure: 6
Total Success: 11.
Total US success rate: 64%
Of course, the Soviets had a grand total of zero completely succesful Mars missions (Mars 2 and 3 succesfully orbited the planet, but their respective landers failed).
That sure looks like dozer work to me.
NASA's Mars page has some superb photos in color and make really great wallpaper on your computer!!
We've got to go and dig into sedimentary deposits.
There is an active project to develop such a craft for Mars exploration. Take a look at the Ares Mars Airplane for more details.
"'Scuse me, which way to Volcano House, I have a yearning for a Keoke Coffee overlooking the caldera.... what's that you say, wrong planet? Ooooops.... " ;)
The Desert Planet ....
Absolutely astounding that they're still going. Does anyone know what has been clearing off the solar panels?
I already know Victoria's Secret - she doesn't wear underwear. Shhhhh.
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