Media Information

 
 
 
Collection:
NASA Planetary Photo Journal Collection
Title:
Eye on "Bounce
Original Caption Released with Image:
This mosaic, created from four images taken by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity's microscopic imager, outlines the target on "Bounce" rock that the rover's rock abrasion tool will abrade on sol 66.

This 6-centimeter-square (2.4-inch-square) area was chosen by the rock abrasion tool team as the most advantageous area for grinding.

Preliminary results from the rover's miniature thermal emission spectrometer show that Bounce is rich in hematite. Bounce contains spherules, or "blueberries," like some rocks in the "Eagle Crater" outcrop. However, Bounce's spherules appear smaller and may be formed by an entirely different process. The blueberries seen in the outcrop are typically 3 to 4 millimeters (0.12 to 0.16 inch) each. A good example of a cluster of micro-berries can be seen just left of center in this image. Scientists are currently studying all of the rock's features as well as its chemical content. After next sol's grinding operation, the team will be able to compare the rock's exterior and interior chemical compositions.
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:
Microscopic Imager
Instrument:
Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT)
Instrument:
Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer
Product Size:
2054 samples x 2096 lines
facet_what:
Sun
facet_what:
Crater
facet_what:
Spectrometer
facet_what:
Mars
facet_what:
Opportunity
facet_what:
Imager
facet_what:
Microscopic Imager
facet_what:
Rock Abrasion Tool
facet_what:
RAT
facet_what:
Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES)
facet_what:
Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
facet_what:
Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES)
facet_where:
Mars
facet_where:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Image #:
PIA05660
UID:
SPD-PHOTJ-PIA05660
orignial url:

Eye on "Bounce