As NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity creeps farther into "Endurance Crater," the dune field on its floor appears ever more dramatic. This approximate true-color panoramic camera image highlights the reddish colored dust present throughout the scene.  Sinuous tendrils of sand less than 1 meter (3.3 feet) high extend from the main dune field into the direction of the rover.  Scientists hope to send the rover down to one of these tendrils in an effort to learn more about the characteristics of the dunes.  Because dunes are a common feature across the surface of Mars, knowledge gleaned from investigating the Endurance dunes close-up may apply to similar dunes elsewhere. The rover drivers must first establish whether the slippery slope that leads to the dunes is firm enough to ensure a successful drive back out before driving down to them.  Such hazards make the dune field a true sand trap.


Image Credit:  NASA/JPL/Cornell

APPROVED BY: Steve Ruff/Jim Bell

CAPTION WRITER:  Colleen Sharkey 818/625-0653 cell

RELEASE DATE:  August 6, 2004

IMAGE FILE NAME:Sol187B_P2546_L456.jpg

SOURCE FILE NAME(S): 1P144794306SFL3412P2546R1M1, 1P144794241SFL3412P2546L7M1  

SUMMARY INFORMATION:  true-color pancam of dunes in Endurance

NAME OF SUBMITTER: Jim Bell

INSTITUTION: Cornell

THEME/TEAM/GROUP: Pancam

SOL OF OBSERVATION:  187

EARTH DATE OF OBSERVATION:  August 2, 2004

TITLE OF IMAGE: Dazzling Dunes (approximate true-color) 

CAPTION:  Above



<br> USERNAME: shlieven