Photos: Hi-res camera spots visitor on Mars

NASA's high-resolution camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter takes photos of one of the Martian rovers.

By Andy Smith, Associate Editor on Oct. 6, 2006

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Opportunity

Cameras from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has taken photos pf the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity near the rim of "Victoria crater."

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.

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Victoria crater

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.

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Red filter

This is an image of Opportunity at the edge of the Victoria crater with a red filter.

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Cabo Frio

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.

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