This mosaic, created from four images taken by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity’s microscopic imager, outlines the target on “Bounce” rock that the rover’s rock abrasion tool will abrade on sol 66.  

This 6-centimeter-square (2.4-inch-square) area was chosen by the rock abrasion tool team as the most advantageous area for grinding.  

Preliminary results from the rover’s miniature thermal emission spectrometer show that “Bounce” is rich in hematite. “Bounce” contains spherules (nicknamed “blueberries”) like some rocks in the “Eagle Crater” outcrop.  However, “Bounce’s” spherules appear smaller and may be formed by an entirely different process.  The “blueberries” seen in the outcrop are typically 3-4 millimeters (0.12 – 0.16 inch) each.  A good example of a cluster of “micro-berries” can be seen just left of center in this image.  Scientists are currently studying all of the rock’s features as well as its chemical content.  After next sol’s grinding operation, the team will be able to compare the exterior and interior spectra.  




Image Credit:  NASA/JPL

APPROVED BY: Larry Soderblom

CAPTION WRITER:  Colleen Sharkey 818/625-0653 cell

RELEASE DATE:  March 31, 2004

IMAGE FILE NAME:  _xpe_pubeng_approved_033004_MI_RAT_mosaic.jpg

SOURCE FILE NAME(S): 1MM065ILFO8PERAQP2906M222M1

SUMMARY INFORMATION:  MI RAT mosaic

NAME OF SUBMITTER: Paul Andres

INSTITUTION: JPL 

THEME/TEAM/GROUP: MIPL

SOL OF OBSERVATION:  65

EARTH DATE OF OBSERVATION:  March 30, 2004

TITLE OF IMAGE: Rat Food

CAPTION:  Above


<br> USERNAME: shlieven