Astronomy Picture of the Day
    


The Drifts of Mars
<< Yesterday 8.11.2005 Tomorrow >>
The Drifts of Mars
Credit & Copyright: Mars Exploration Rover Mission, Cornell, JPL, NASA
Explanation: What would it be like to walk across Mars? The robot Opportunity rover is currently experiencing what it is like to roll across part of the red planet. It's not always easy -- the rover is being instructed to dodge the deeper drifts of dark sand. During its exploration of Erebus Crater, the rover stopped and took the above picture. Inside this part of Erebus Crater, the surface of mars is covered not only by dark sand but also light outcrops of rock. Scattered across the exposed rock are numerous small round pebbles known as blueberries . Typically smaller than marbles, these unexpected and unusual rocks likely formed by accretion in an ancient wet environment. Also visible are some strange protruding edges known as razorbacks. The above image was taken early last month.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
 < November 2005  >
Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su

123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930



Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.

Based on Astronomy Picture Of the Day

Publications with keywords: Mars - Opportunity rover
Publications with words: Mars - Opportunity rover
See also:
All publications on this topic >>