Media Information

 
 
 
Collection:
NASA Planetary Photo Journal Collection
Title:
Spirit's Express Route to 'Columbia Hills'
Original Caption Released with Image:
This map illustrates the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit's position as of sol 112 (April 26, 2004), near the crater called "Missoula." Like a train on a tight schedule, Spirit will make regular stops along the way to its ultimate destination, the "Columbia Hills." At each stop, or "station," the rover will briefly analyze the area's rocks and soils. Each tick mark on the rover's route represents one sol's worth of travel, or about 60 to 70 meters (200 to 230 feet). Rover planners estimate that Spirit will reach the hills around mid-June. Presently, the rover is stopped at a site called "Plains Station."

The color thermal data show how well different surface features hold onto heat. Red indicates warmth; blue indicates coolness. Areas with higher temperatures are more likely to be rocky, as rocks absorb heat. Lower temperatures denote small particles and fewer rocks. During its traverse, Spirit will document the causes of these temperature variations.

The map comprises data from the camera on NASA's Mars Global Surveyor orbiter and the thermal emission imaging system on NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter.
Image Credit:
NASA/JPL/ASU/MSSS/Am es
Produced By:
JPL
Mission:
2001 Mars Odyssey
Mission:
Mars Global Surveyor (MGS)
Mission:
Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
Spacecraft:
Spirit
Spacecraft:
Mars Global Surveyor Orbiter
Spacecraft:
2001 Mars Odyssey
Target Name:
Mars
Is a satellite of:
Sol (our sun)
Instrument:
Thermal Emission Imaging System
Instrument:
Mars Orbiter Camera
Product Size:
647 samples x 485 lines
facet_what:
Sun
facet_what:
Crater
facet_what:
Spirit
facet_what:
Mars
facet_what:
2001 Mars Odyssey
facet_what:
Surveyor
facet_what:
Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS)
facet_what:
Mars Global Surveyor Orbiter (MGS)
facet_what:
Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC)
facet_what:
Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
facet_what:
Columbia
facet_where:
Mars
facet_where:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
facet_when:
April 26, 2004
facet_when_year:
2004
Image #:
PIA05834
UID:
SPD-PHOTJ-PIA05834
orignial url:

Spirit's Express Route to 'Columbia Hills'