NASA’s Opportunity Mars rover appears to have found a possible iron meteorite during its ongoing trek to a new exploration site.
Scientists are commanding the robot to roll itself over to obtain close-up imagery of the toaster-sized rock.
NASA’s Opportunity rover has found four iron meteorites during its exploration of the Meridiani Planum region of Mars since early 2004. Examination of these rocks has provided information about the Martian atmosphere, as well as the meteorites themselves.
The newfound dark rock has been given the informal name “Oileán Ruaidh” (pronounced ay-lan ruah), which is the Gaelic name for an island off the coast of northwestern Ireland. The rock is about 45 centimeters (18 inches) wide from the angle at which it was first seen.
Opportunity is still several miles distant from the rim of Endeavor crater. That feature has been a long-term destination for the wheeled robot for about two years.
Don’t forget that the Opportunity rover landed on Mars in January 2004…for what was planned as a three-month mission!
By LD/CSE