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26 March 2004
Opportunity leaves Eagle Crater
After sliding on the sandy slopes of "Eagle Crater," Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) scientists tried a different route to drive the rover Opportunity out of the small crater it has called home for 57 martian days.
After exiting the crater, Opportunity paused 9 meters (about 29.5 feet) from its former home and sent back to Earth a series of panoramic images. The JPL team stitched together these images to form a full 360-degree view of the sandy plains of Meridiani Planum.
As shown in the accompanying segment from the JPL panoramic image, Eagle Crater looks surprisingly small when viewed from this entirely new perspective. Yet the laminated rocks that line the crater's rim have provided some of the most important science results during the ongoing adventures of the two Mars rovers.
Opportunity will next head for a pair of craters so small they are being referred to as dimples. Both have a light-colored bottom, which suggests more of the kind of rock found in Eagle Crater. Forrest M. Mims III. 
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The tracks of Opportunity are shown leading away from Eagle Crater, which the rover called home for 57 martian days. This image is part of a 360-degree view around the rover. The full view is at http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/opportunity/20040323a/Bsite8_navcam_360_cyl_br2.jpg. This image is courtesy of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Click image to enlarge. |
