Mars robot positions itself to study Tisdale-2. Credit: Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell/ASU
Opportunity inspects intriguing rock. Credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell
NASA’s Opportunity robot on the red planet has been busy inspecting an intriguing feature – Tisdale-2 – at the rim of the huge Endeavor crater.
While analysis of the flat-topped rock is still underway, scientists note that it is different from the rocks that make up the bedrock of the Meridiani plains – the site the rover is exploring on Mars.
“It is probably too early to say anything too definitive yet,” said Bill Farrand, a research scientist with the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado – and a member of the science team for the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission.
“We are definitely in new terrain,” Farrand told this Coalition reporter.
Opportunity has wrapped up its on-the-spot investigation of Tisdale-2.
The robot is now wheeling toward the “in-board” side of the Cape York rim ridge.
“We should be able to get some great views of the interior of Endeavour from our new position,” Farrand said.
By Leonard David