Abraded Target on Rock “Champagne” in Gusev Crater
Caption:
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).
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 |
Microscopic Imager (MI) |
|
| Detector |
|
|
| Extra Keywords |
Crater, Grayscale, Thermal |
| Acquisition Date |
|
| Release Date |
2005-01-13 |
| Date in Caption |
2005-01-03 |
|
| Image Credit |
NASA/JPL/Cornell/USGS |
| Source |
photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA07261 |
| Identifier |
PIA07261 |
