PIA05029: Mars Through Infrared Eyes of Spirit-3


Mars Through Infrared Eyes of Spirit-3

Caption:

This image shows the martian terrain through the eyes of the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit's mini-thermal emission spectrometer, an instrument that detects the infrared light, or heat, emitted by objects. The different colored circles show a spectrum of soil and rock temperatures, with red representing warmer regions and blue, cooler. Clusters of cool rocks stand out to the left, and a warm, dusty depression similar to the one dubbed Sleepy Hollow can be seen to the upper right. Scientists and engineers will use this data to pinpoint features of interest, and to plot a safe course for the rover free of loose dust. The mini-thermal emission spectrometer data are superimposed on an image taken by the rover's panoramic camera.

Cataloging Keywords:

Name Value Additional Values
Target Mars
System
Target Type Planet
Mission Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
Instrument Host Spirit (MER-A)
Host Type Rover
Instrument Panoramic Camera (Pancam) Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES)
Detector
Extra Keywords Color, Dust, Infrared, Thermal
Acquisition Date
Release Date 2004-01-09
Date in Caption
Image Credit NASA/JPL/Arizona State University/Cornell University
Source photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA05029
Identifier PIA05029