The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity
dragged one of its wheels back and forth across the sandy soil
at Meridiani Planum to create a hole measuring approximately 50
centimeters (19.7 inches) long by 20 centimeters (7.9 inches)
wide by 9 centimeters (3.5 inches) deep. The rover's arm will
begin studying the fresh soil at the bottom of this trench later
today for clues to its mineral composition and history. Scientists
chose this particular site for digging because previous data taken
by the rover's miniature thermal emission spectrometer indicated
that it contains crystalline hematite, a mineral that sometimes
forms in the presence of water. The brightness of the newly-exposed
soil is thought to be either intrinsic to the soil itself, or
a reflection of the Sun. The rock outcrop lining the inner edge
of the small crater encircling the rover and lander can be spotted
in the upper left. This fish-eye image was taken by the rover's
hazard-avoidance camera.
