PIA05027: Mars Through Infrared Eyes of Spirit


Mars Through Infrared Eyes of Spirit

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. A warm and dusty depression similar to the one dubbed Sleepy Hollow stands out 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) Mars Global Surveyor (MGS)
Instrument Host Spirit (MER-A) Mars Global Surveyor
Host Type Rover Orbiter
Instrument Panoramic Camera (Pancam) Thermal Emission Spectrometer (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/PIA05027
Identifier PIA05027