The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has recently settled into its final orbit around the Red Planet and began taking photos on Sept. 27.
The Mars rover Opportunity landed on Mars in January 2004 for a three-month mission but it is still chugging along.
The Victoria crater is approximately a half mile wide near the equator on Mars. The crater is of great interest to scientists because of its shape which was caused by erosion and rock falls, layered sedimentary rocks located along the walls, and giant boulders that have fallen from the crater wall. Plus, the floor of the crater covered with sand dunes.
This is an image of Opportunity at the edge of the Victoria crater with a red filter.
This false color image taken by the rover Opportunity of a point called "Cabo Frio" almost looks like a golf course. But watch out for the sand traps. The crater called "Sputnik" is about 65 feet from the rover.
The "Cape Verde" outcropping is one of the most prominent features in the Victoria crater.
This is a false color view of "Cape Verde."
The Mars rover Opportunity traveled 5.7 miles over thirty three months to reach its ultimate goal of the Victoria crater.