Media Information

 
 
 
Collection:
NASA Planetary Photo Journal Collection
Title:
Windows to Meridiani's Water-Soaked Past
Original Caption Released with Image:
This image taken by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity shows the two holes that allowed scientists to peer into Meridiani Planum's wet past. The rover drilled the holes into rocks in the region dubbed "El Capitan" with its rock abrasion tool. By analyzing the freshly exposed rock with the rover's suite of scientific instruments, scientists gathered evidence that this part of Mars may have once been drenched in water. The lower hole, located on a target called "McKittrick," was made on the 30th martian day, or sol, of Opportunity's journey. The upper hole, located on a target called "Guadalupe" was made on the 34th sol of the rover's mission. This image was taken on the 35th martian day, or sol, by the rover's hazard-avoidance camera. The rock abrasion tool and scientific instruments are located on the rover's robotic arm.
Image Credit:
NASA/JPL
Produced By:
JPL
Mission:
Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
Spacecraft:
Opportunity
Target Name:
Mars
Is a satellite of:
Sol (our sun)
Instrument:
Hazard Identification Camera
Instrument:
Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT)
Product Size:
960 samples x 720 lines
facet_what:
Sun
facet_what:
Mars
facet_what:
Opportunity
facet_what:
Rock Abrasion Tool
facet_what:
RAT
facet_what:
Hazard-identificatio n Camera
facet_what:
Hazard-Avoidance Camera
facet_what:
Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
facet_where:
Mars
facet_where:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Image #:
PIA05504
UID:
SPD-PHOTJ-PIA05504
orignial url:

Windows to Meridiani's Water-Soaked Past