PIA05756: 'RAT' Leaves a Fine Mess


‘RAT’ Leaves a Fine Mess

Caption:

This graph shows the light signatures, or spectra, of two sides of the rock dubbed "Bounce," located at Meridiani Planum, Mars. The spectra were taken by the miniature thermal emission spectrometer on the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity. The left side of this rock is covered by fine dust created when the rover drilled into the rock with its rock abrasion tool. These "fines" produce a layer of pyroxene dust that can be detected here in the top spectrum. The right side of the rock has fewer fines and was used to investigate the composition of this basaltic rock.

Cataloging Keywords:

Name Value Additional Values
Target Mars
System
Target Type Planet
Mission Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
Instrument Host Opportunity (MER-B)
Host Type Rover
Instrument Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES)
Detector
Extra Keywords Color, Dust, Thermal
Acquisition Date
Release Date 2004-04-14
Date in Caption
Image Credit NASA/JPL/Cornell/ASU
Source photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA05756
Identifier PIA05756