This mosaic image from the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity’s panoramic camera provides an overview of the rover’s drive direction toward “Endurance Crater” (in the upper right corner of image).  

The plains appear to be uniform in character from the rover’s current position all the way to Endurance Crater.  Various-sized granules blanket the plains.  The now well-known blueberries are present – some intact and some broken.  Larger granules pave the surface, while smaller grains, including broken blueberries, form small dunes.  Randomly distributed 1-centimeter (0.4 inch) sized pebbles (as seen just left of center in the foreground of the image) make up a third outstanding feature on the plains whose composition remains to be determined.  Scientists plan to examine these in the coming sols.  

Orbital data that revealed a hematite signature led the rover team to choose Meridiani Planum as Opportunity’s landing site.  The rover science conducted on the plains of Meridiani Planum serves to integrate what the rovers are seeing on the ground with what orbital data has shown.

Opportunity will make stop at a small crater called “Fram” (seen in the upper left, with relatively large rocks nearby) before heading to the rim of Endurance Crater.

IMAGE CREDIT: NASA/JPL/CORNELL
 
APPROVED BY: Andy Knoll

CAPTION WRITER:  Colleen Sharkey 818/626-0653 cell
 
Source File: 1PP080EFF10CYLCGP242OR111C1

RELEASE DATE: April 15, 2004

SUMMARY INFORMATION: Pancam of drive direction twd Endurance

NAME OF SUBMITTER: Jim Bell

INSTITUTION: Cornell

THEME/TEAM/GROUP: Pancam

SOL OF OBSERVATION:  80

EARTH DATE OF OBSERVATION:  April 15, 2004

IMAGE TITLE: The Path to Endurance 




<br> USERNAME: shlieven