Tag Archives: Meridiani Planum

MARCI weather report: March 10-16, 2014

Posted on March 20, 2014 by rburnham

Transient local dust storms were observed this week in Solis and Claritas west of Argyre. Diffuse water ice clouds continued to gather above the equatorial regions and over the large shield volcanoes. Aside from a few stray clouds in Meridiani, … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Ridged terrain in E. Meridiani

Posted on March 13, 2014 by rburnham

Beautiful Mars series: Ridged terrain in eastern Meridiani Planum. More Beautiful Mars images.

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HiRISE: Crater straddling two terrain units

Posted on March 6, 2014 by rburnham

An approximately 1-kilometer impact crater located in northern Sinus Meridiani has formed along the boundary of two different terrain units. The western part of the crater has formed along a unit consisting of wind-blown basaltic materials that overlie light-toned units … Continue reading →

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Ancient watery environments at Endeavour Crater

Posted on January 23, 2014 by rburnham

A new paper in Science from a team led by Raymond Arvidson (Washington University) and Steven Squyres (Cornell University) reports on water-related minerals found by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity, which reached Endeavour Crater in August 2011. The paper is … Continue reading →

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Opportunity Pancam raw images of the “jelly donut” rock

Posted on January 23, 2014 by rburnham

On sol 3551 (January 19, 2014) Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity used its Panoramic Camera to image in several wavelengths the “donut rock” — dubbed Pinnacle Island by the science team — that appeared near the rover sometime before it was … Continue reading →

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Unusual rock lying in front of Opportunity on Murray Ridge

Posted on January 22, 2014 by rburnham

This before-and-after pair of images of the same patch of ground in front of NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity 13 days apart documents the arrival of a bright rock onto the scene. The rover had completed a short drive just … Continue reading →

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“Blueberries” could date when Meridiani rocks were last wet

Posted on June 20, 2012 by rburnham

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 →

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Mars Rover Opportunity explores Cape York

Posted on May 4, 2012 by rburnham

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 →

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How old is Meridiani Planum?

Posted on March 24, 2012 by rburnham

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 →

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High ground on Cape York rim segment named Shoemaker Ridge

Posted on December 6, 2011 by rburnham

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 →

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