Spectacular images of Mars in infrared were taken by the Mini-TES instrument
on the Opportunity Rover, directed by ASU geologist Philip Christensen. The
colors indicate relative quantities of the important mineral hematite -- the
red areas are high in hematite, the blue and green areas are low. The bounce
marks left by the lander's balloons are blue or green, indicating that the
balloons pushed the hematite into the underlying dust. Christensen's image
is the first on-site mineral map ever made on Mars, and gives mission scientists
critical information they need to study the site.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Arizona State
University/Cornell
