Media Information

 
 
 
Collection:
NASA Planetary Photo Journal Collection
Title:
Abraded Target on Rock "Champagne" in Gusev Crater
Original Caption Released with Image:
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit took this microscopic image of a target called "Bubbles" on a rock called "Champagne" after using its rock abrasion tool to grind a hole through the rock's outer surface. The circular area where the rock's interior is exposed is about 5 centimeters (2 inches) across. This rock is different from rocks out on the plains of Gusev Crater but is similar to other rocks in this area of the "Columbia Hills" in that it rich in phosphorus. Plagioclase, a mineral commonly found in igneous rocks, is also present in these rocks, according to analysis with Spirit's miniature thermal emission spectrometer. By using the rover's alpha particle X-ray spectrometer to collect data for multiple martian days, or sols, scientists are also beginning to get measurements of trace elements in the rocks. Spirit took the images that are combined into this mosaic on sol 358 (Jan. 3, 2005).
Image Credit:
NASA/JPL/Cornell/USG S
Produced By:
JPL
Mission:
Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
Spacecraft:
Spirit
Target Name:
Mars
Is a satellite of:
Sol (our sun)
Instrument:
Microscopic Imager
Product Size:
1918 samples x 1888 lines
facet_what:
Sun
facet_what:
Crater
facet_what:
Spectrometer
facet_what:
Spirit
facet_what:
Mars
facet_what:
Imager
facet_what:
TRACE
facet_what:
Microscopic Imager
facet_what:
Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer
facet_what:
Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES)
facet_what:
Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
facet_what:
Columbia
facet_what:
Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES)
facet_where:
Mars
facet_where:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
facet_where:
Gusev Crater, Mars
Image #:
PIA07261
UID:
SPD-PHOTJ-PIA07261
orignial url:

Abraded Target on Rock "Champagne" in Gusev Crater