The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is concluding its scientific examination at the extreme southwestern end of the outcrop in Meridiani Planum.  In the “Shark’s Cage” area of the neighborhood called “Shoemaker’s Patio,” featured in this image from the front hazard avoidance camera, Opportunity has deployed its arm to study the features called “Shark’s Tooth,” “Shark Pellets,” and “Lamination.”  Data from all of the sites is currently being analyzed.  “Shark’s Tooth” is a piece of the unusual red rind that appears to fill cracks in the outcrop. This rind may be some kind of chemical alteration of the rocks. “Shark Pellets” is an area of soil that was under investigation as part of the ongoing crater soil survey.  “Lamination” is a target with very thin layers that resemble uniform pages in a book, an indication of how the sediments were deposited.  A final experiment in this area will be attempted on sol 51.  Opportunity’s front left wheel will “scuff” the rock called “Carousel.”  “Scuffing” involves scraping the rock with one wheel while holding all the others still.  This experiment essentially turns the rover wheels into tools, to try and determine the hardness of the target rock.

APPROVED BY: Larry Soderblom (928-556-7018) & Bethany Ehlmann (cell:314-541-4241)

CAPTION WRITER:  Colleen Sharkey 818/626-0653 cell

 Image File Name: _xpe_pubeng_approved_031504_sharkscage.jpg

Source File: 1F132546842FFLO602P1214LOM1

RELEASE DATE:  March 16, 2004

SUMMARY INFORMATION: Front hazcam (w/ target labels) of “Shark’s Cage” area of outcrop

NAME OF SUBMITTER: Bethany Ehlmann

INSTITUTION: Washington Univ (St. Louis)

THEME/TEAM/GROUP: Geology

SOL OF OBSERVATION:  49

EARTH DATE OF OBSERVATION:  March 14, 2004

Title of Image: Opportunity Studies Bait in Shark's Cage








<br> USERNAME: shlieven