Media Information

 
 
 
Collection:
NASA Planetary Photo Journal Collection
Title:
Spirit Leaves Telling Tracks
Original Caption Released with Image:
Scientists have found clues about the nature of martian soil through analyzing wheel marks from the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit in this image. The image was taken by Spirit's rear hazard-identificatio n camera just after the rover drove approximately 1 meter (3 feet) northwest off the Columbia Memorial Station (lander platform) early Thursday morning. That the wheel tracks are shallow indicates the soil has plenty of strength to support the moving rover. The well-defined track characteristics suggest the presence of very fine particles in the martian soil (along with larger particles). Scientists also think the soil may have some cohesive properties.
Image Credit:
NASA/JPL
Produced By:
JPL
Mission:
Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
Spacecraft:
Spirit
Target Name:
Mars
Is a satellite of:
Sol (our sun)
Instrument:
Hazard Identification Camera
Product Size:
1024 samples x 1024 lines
facet_what:
Sun
facet_what:
Spirit
facet_what:
Mars
facet_what:
Hazard-identificatio n Camera
facet_what:
Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
facet_what:
Columbia
facet_where:
Mars
facet_where:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Image #:
PIA05097
UID:
SPD-PHOTJ-PIA05097
orignial url:

Spirit Leaves Telling Tracks