Release Date: 3/30/04 Image Filename: Mazat_MI_Mos.jpg Source Filename: ? Summary Info: MI mosaic of ratted area on Mazatzal taken on sol 82. Submitter: Hap McSween Institution University of Tennessee Theme MI Rover Spirit Sol of Observation 82 Earth Date of Obs March 27, 2004 NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover Spirit took the images that make up this mosaic with the microscopic imager on sol 82. The mosaic reveals the ratted surface of the “New York” target on the rock named “Mazatzal.” The rock abrasion tool ground for 3 hours and 45 minutes to create this 3.8-millimeter (0.15 inch) deep hole. The interior, ratted area is 4.5 centimeters (1.8 inches) in diameter. Mazatzal was an interesting rock to grind because it has a lighter tone than previously ratted rocks “Adirondack” and “Humphrey” and looked different from its surrounding environment. Scientists hypothesized that Mazatzal’s surface might be covered with a rind of material that had been altered by weathering. They were interested to grind through this very top layer and reveal the underlying rock. Because Mazatzal’s surface was not even, the left half of the rock was penetrated more deeply than the right. As can be seen in this image, the right, darker portion of the rock has only been brushed, and is still covered by the rind material. Spirit has completed a second grind at this location at a different angle to remove the remaining venear from the right side and create an even deeper hole. Images of this second grind will be sent back to Earth in the next sol or two. Credit: NASA/JPL/ Approved by: Hap McSween and Paul Bartlett
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