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The Mars rover Opportunity has returned images and evidence for the mineral Gypsum, composed of Calcium Sulfate, which is usually deposited in water. The discovery occurred at the site nicknamed “Homestake”, which is near the edge of the “Cape York” segment of the western rim of Endeavour Crater. |
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Endeavour Crater
Opportunity Arrives at Endeavour
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The Mars Rover Opportunity has arrived at Spirit Point on the edge of the Endeavour Crater. It has been a three year journey from Victoria crater, covering 12 kilometers. Endeavour is 22 kilometers in diameter, and exposes much deeper and ancient Martian geology than anything explored so far. Below is a closeup from the panorama showing the small crater “Odyssey” on the rim of Endeavour. |
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Opportunity’s Journey
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On 27 May 2011, after 2,609 Martian days since landing in Eagle Crater, the Mars Rover Opportunity reached the end point at the lower right of the yellow line on the map above. It is 2.2 miles (3.5 kilometers) from the rim of Endeavour Crater. Opportunity landed inside Eagle Crater in January of 2004, and spent two months exploring its “nest”. In late March it climbed out of Eagle Crater and began its trek toward Endurance Crater. By the end of April, the rover had completed its 90 day mission. In May, Opportunity began its descent into Endurance Crater. Six months later, Opportunity left Endurance and began a long traverse to Victoria Crater (see the map). It reached the 500 meter crater in late September of 2006. After two years of exploration, Opportunity climbed out of the crater in September of 2008, and began a 12 kilometer journey to Endeavour. Endeavour is 22 kilometers in diameter, and exposes much deeper and ancient Martian geology than anything explored so far. In honor of Opportunity’s rover twin, the team has chosen “Spirit Point” on Cape York as the informal name for the site on Endeavour’s rim targeted for Opportunity’s arrival at Endeavour. |
Opportunity on Mars
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From NASA’s release announcement:
Opportunity is now half way on its trek from Victoria Crater (0.8 kilometers wide) to Endeavour Crater (22 kilometers in diameter), about 19 kilometers away. Opportunity resumed its journey toward Endeavour Crater after imaging an iron meteorite on the Martian surface. |