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Pancam multispectral imaging results from the Spirit Rover at Gusev crater

January 1, 2004

Panoramic Camera images at Gusev crater reveal a rock-strewn surface interspersed with high- to moderate-albedo fine-grained deposits occurring in part as drifts or in small circular swales or hollows. Optically thick coatings of fine-grained ferric iron-rich dust dominate most bright soil and rock surfaces. Spectra of some darker rock surfaces and rock regions exposed by brushing or grinding show near-infrared spectral signatures consistent with the presence of mafic silicates such as pyroxene or olivine. Atmospheric observations show a steady decline in dust opacity during the mission, and astronomical observations captured solar transits by the martian moons, Phobos and Deimos, as well as a view of Earth from the martian surface.

Publication Year 2004
Title Pancam multispectral imaging results from the Spirit Rover at Gusev crater
DOI 10.1126/science.1100175
Authors J.F. Bell, S. W. Squyres, R. E. Arvidson, H.M. Arneson, D. Bass, D. Blaney, N. Cabrol, W. Calvin, J. Farmer, W. H. Farrand, W. Goetz, M. Golombek, J. A. Grant, R. Greeley, E. Guinness, A. G. Hayes, M.Y.H. Hubbard, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, M. J. Johnson, J. R. Johnson, J. Joseph, K.M. Kinch, M.T. Lemmon, R. Li, M.B. Madsen, J.N. Maki, M. Malin, E. McCartney, S. McLennan, H.Y. McSween, D. W. Ming, J.E. Moersch, R.V. Morris, E.Z.N. Dobrea, T. J. Parker, J. Proton, J. W. Rice, F. Seelos, J. Soderblom, Laurence A. Soderblom, J. N. Sohl-Dickstein, R.J. Sullivan, M.J. Wolff, A. Wang
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Science
Index ID 70026742
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Astrogeology Science Center