Pancam Multispectral Imaging Results from the Opportunity Rover at Meridiani Planum

Panoramic Camera (Pancam) images from Meridiani Planum reveal a low-albedo, generally flat, and relatively rock-free surface. Within and around impact craters and fractures, laminated outcrop rocks with higher albedo are observed. Fine-grained materials include dark sand, bright ferric iron-rich dus...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2004-12, Vol.306 (5702), p.1703-1709
Main Authors: Bell, J. F., Squyres, S. W., Arvidson, R. E., Arneson, H. M., Bass, D., Calvin, W., Farrand, W. H., Goetz, W., Golombek, M., Greeley, R., Grotzinger, J., Guinness, E., Hayes, A. G., Hubbard, M. Y. H., Herkenhoff, K. E., Johnson, M. J., Johnson, J. R., Joseph, J., Kinch, K. M., Lemmon, M. T., Li, R., Madsen, M. B., Maki, J. N., Malin, M., McCartney, E., McLennan, S., McSween, H. Y., Ming, D. W., Morris, R. V., E. Z. Noe Dobrea, Parker, T. J., Proton, J., Rice, J. W., Seelos, F., Soderblom, J. M., Soderblom, L. A., Sohl-Dickstein, J. N., Sullivan, R. J., Weitz, C. M., Wolff, M. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Albedo
Atmosphere
Discovery and exploration
Extraterrestrial Environment
Ferric Compounds
Geologic Sediments
Ice
Image filters
Imaging
Impact craters
Iron
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Mars
Mars (Planet)
Mars probes
Materials
Mineralogy
Opportunities
Outcrops
Research Articles and Reports
Rocks
Sand
Scientific Concepts
Scientific imaging
Silicates
Spacecraft
Spectrum Analysis
Water
Wavelengths
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Summary:Panoramic Camera (Pancam) images from Meridiani Planum reveal a low-albedo, generally flat, and relatively rock-free surface. Within and around impact craters and fractures, laminated outcrop rocks with higher albedo are observed. Fine-grained materials include dark sand, bright ferric iron-rich dust, angular rock clasts, and millimeter-size spheroidal granules that are eroding out of the laminated rocks. Spectra of sand, clasts, and one dark plains rock are consistent with mafic silicates such as pyroxene and olivine. Spectra of both the spherules and the laminated outcrop materials indicate the presence of crystalline ferric oxides or oxyhydroxides. Atmospheric observations show a steady decline in dust opacity during the mission. Astronomical observations captured solar transits by Phobos and Deimos and time-lapse observations of sunsets.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1105245