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Tag Archives: Meridiani Planum
“Blueberries” could date when Meridiani rocks were last wet
The relative amount of three chemical elements contained in Martian “blueberries” might offer scientists a way to date when these spherules were last inundated with water, according to recent research. Rich in the iron mineral hematite, blueberries are small concretions, … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged concretions, Curiosity, Gale Crater, hematite, jarosite, Mars Exploration Rovers, Mars Science Laboratory, MER, Meridiani Planum, Opportunity, water
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Mars Rover Opportunity explores Cape York
Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity reached the south end of Cape York, a segment of the rim of Endeavour Crater about 700 meters (2,300 feet) long, on August 9, 2011. Scientists and engineers examined several targets there before driving the rover … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged breccia, Cape York, Greeley Haven, gypsum, Homestake, impact melt, impacts, Kidd Creek, Mars Exploration Rovers, Meridiani Planum, Opportunity, Tisdale, water
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How old is Meridiani Planum?
The smooth, flat plain where Mars rover Opportunity landed in January 2004 looks spookily empty. Only a few rocks and meteorites, plus foot-high sand dunes and ripples, break the endless vista under a clear tawny sky. How long has the … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged craters, Endeavour Crater, HiRISE, LPSC 2012, Mars Exploration Rovers, Meridiani Planum, Opportunity, wind
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High ground on Cape York rim segment named Shoemaker Ridge
Scientists with the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity have given the name of Shoemaker Ridge to the highest “spine” of the Cape York segment of Endeavour Crater’s rim. The rover arrived at Cape York in early August and has been exploring … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged craters, Endeavour Crater, Mars Exploration Rovers, MER, Meridiani Planum, Opportunity, Shoemaker Ridge
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Dune activity in Arabia and Meridiani
Mars continues to show itself active, at least as far as dunes are concerned. A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters (October 22, 2011) by a group of scientists led by Simone Silvestro (SETI Institute) reports on dune movements … Continue reading
Meteorites: Keys to bygone Mars climates
The sky falls on Mars, too, just as it does sometimes on Earth. In its long crosscountry drive over the pool table expanse of Meridiani Planum, Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has encountered more than a dozen meteorites, all of them … Continue reading