This microscopic image mosaic of the rock abrasion tool target, "London," was taken by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity on its 149th sol on Mars.  Scientists "read" this image stratigraphically, from bottom to top -with the youngest material pictured at the bottom of the image and the oldest material in the layers pictured at the top.  Millimeter-scale laminations run horizontally across the exposed surface, with two sliced "blueberries," or spherules on the upper left and upper right sides of the impression.  This material is similar to the evaporative material found in "Eagle Crater."  However, the intense review of these layers in Endurance Crater is, in essence, deepening the water story authored by ancient Mars.  In Eagle Crater, the effects of water were traced down a matter of centimeters; Endurance Crater's depth has allowed the tracing of water's telltale marks up to meters.  Another process that significantly affects martian terrain is muddying the water story a bit.  Although it is clear that the layers in Endurance were affected by water, it is also evident that Aeolian, or wind, processes have contributed to the makeup of the crater.

Image Credit:  NASA/JPL

APPROVED BY: 

CAPTION WRITER:  Colleen Sharkey 818/625-0653 cell

RELEASE DATE:  July 9, 2004

IMAGE FILE NAME:  London_sol149_Opp.jpg

SOURCE FILE NAME(S): 1M141409684EFF3190P2906M2M1, 1M14109990EFF3190P2907M2M1, 1M14110290EFF3190P2906M2M1, 1M1410543EFF3190P2906M2M1, 1M1410803EFF3190P2906M2M1

SUMMARY INFORMATION:  MI mosaic of the RAT target "London"

NAME OF SUBMITTER: Tim Parker

INSTITUTION: JPL

THEME/TEAM/GROUP: Geology

SOL OF OBSERVATION:  149

EARTH DATE OF OBSERVATION:  

TITLE OF IMAGE: Looking into "London"