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‘Tennessee’ Clues

This image from NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity shows a hole it drilled into a flat rock dubbed 'Tennessee' on Mars. At least three distinct bands of rock visible in front of the rover.
PIA06277
Credits: NASA/JPL/Cornell
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Description

This false-color image shows the area within "Endurance Crater," currently being investigated by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity. The rover is inspecting a hole it drilled into a flat rock (center) dubbed "Tennessee," which scientists believe may be made up of the same evaporite-rich materials as those found in "Eagle Crater."

The overall geography inside Endurance is more complex than scientists anticipated, with at least three distinct bands of rock visible in front of the rover. Scientists hope to investigate the second and third layers of rock for more clues to Mars' history. This image was taken on sol 133 (June 8, 2004) with the rover's panoramic camera, using the 750-, 530- and 430-nanometer filters.