Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Follow this link to skip to the main content
Images
Press Release Images
Spirit
Opportunity
All Raw Images
Spirit
Opportunity
Panoramas
Spirit
Opportunity
3-D Images
Spirit
Opportunity
Spacecraft
Mars Artwork
Landing Sites
Press Release Images: Spirit
16-Jan-2004
Spirit Flexes Its Arm to Use Microscope on Mars' Soil
Full Press Release
Spirit About to Reach for Closer Look
Spirit About to Reach for Closer Look

This image taken by the front hazard-avoidance camera on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit, shows a clear view of the martian surface in front of the rover before the rover deployed its robotic arm, or instrument deployment device. The arm was deployed from its stowed position beneath the "front porch" of the rover body early Friday morning. This is the first use of the arm to deploy the microscopic imager, one of four geological instruments located on the arm. The instrument will help scientists analyze and understand martian rocks and soils by taking very high resolution, close-up images.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/US Geological Survey
Browse Image (55 kB) | Large (136 kB)
Spirit About to Reach for Closer Look (Animation)
Spirit Reaches for Closer Look

This animation, composed of four images taken by the front hazard-avoidance camera on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit, shows the rover stretching out its robotic arm, or instrument deployment device. This is the first use of the arm on Mars to deploy the microscopic imager, one of four geological instruments located on the arm. The first frame shows a clear view of the martian surface in front of the rover before the arm was successfully deployed early Friday morning. The subsequent frames show the arm emerging from its stowed position beneath the "front porch" of the rover body, reaching out, and using the microscopic imager to take close-up images of the martian soil.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/US Geological Survey
Browse Image (1.1 MB) | Large (3.7 MB)
Spirit Reaches for Closer Look
Spirit Reaches for Closer Look

This image taken by the front hazard-avoidance camera on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit, shows the rover's robotic arm, or instrument deployment device. The arm was deployed from its stowed position beneath the "front porch" of the rover body early Friday morning. This is the first use of the arm to deploy the microscopic imager, one of four geological instruments located on the arm. The instrument will help scientists analyze and understand martian rocks and soils by taking very high resolution, close-up images.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/US Geological Survey
Browse Image (51 kB) | Large (115 kB)
First Patch of Probed Soil
First Patch of Probed Soil

This image taken by the panoramic camera on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit highlights the first patch of soil examined by the rover's microscopic imager. The imager is located on the rover's instrument deployment device, or "arm." The rover can be seen to the right. Engineers first deployed the arm early Friday morning, Jan. 16, 2004.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell
Browse Image (37 kB) | Large (80 kB)
mi_pan-A13R1.jpg
Browse Image | Medium Image (32 kB) | Large (103 kB)
Snapshots of Martian Soil (Animation)
Snapshots of Martian Soil

This animation strings together five different snapshots of the martian soil captured by the microscopic imager onboard the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit. Each picture was taken from a different height. Scientists combine these images to produce one well-focused picture. The actual size of the soil patch shown here is 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) across.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/US Geological Survey
Browse Image (1.1 MB) | Large (4 MB)
Mars in Glorious Detail
Mars in Glorious Detail

This close-up look at a patch of martian soil is the sharpest image ever taken of another planet. The picture was captured by the microscopic imager located on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit's instrument deployment device, or "arm." Scientists liken the alien soil to clumpy cocoa powder. The upper left corner of the soil patch is illuminated by direct sunlight and thus appears brighter. The actual size of the patch is about 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) across.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/US Geological Survey
Browse Image (73 kB) | Large (185 kB)
Martian Soil in 3-D
Martian Soil in 3-D

This image taken by the microscopic imager on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit shows the powdery soil of Mars in 3-D. It is the sharpest look yet at the surface of another planet. The microscopic imager is located on the rover's instrument deployment device, or "arm."

Image credit: NASA/JPL/US Geological Survey
Browse Image (116 kB) | Large (209 kB)
Spirit and Its Now-Empty Mother Ship
Spirit and Its Now-Empty Mother Ship

This overhead polar image was captured after the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit took a few baby rolls away from the spacecraft that bore it millions of miles to Mars. The empty lander, now named the Columbia Memorial Station, can be seen to the right of the rover. This image was taken by Spirit's navigation camera.

Image credit: NASA/JPL
Browse Image | Medium Image (35 kB) | Large (132 kB)
Spirit Leaves Telling Tracks
Spirit Leaves Telling Tracks

Scientists have found clues about the nature of martian soil through analyzing wheel marks from the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit in this image. The image was taken by Spirit's rear hazard-avoidance camera just after the rover drove approximately 1 meter (3 feet) northwest off the Columbia Memorial Station (lander platform) early Thursday morning. That the wheel tracks are shallow indicates the soil has plenty of strength to support the moving rover. The well-defined track characteristics suggest the presence of very fine particles in the martian soil (along with larger particles). Scientists also think the soil may have some cohesive properties.

Image credit: NASA/JPL
Browse Image (36 kB) | Large (87 kB)
2R127428271FFL0300P1004R0M2-A13R1_th100.jpg
Browse Image (35 kB) | Large (86 kB)
Virtual Rover Deploys Arm
Virtual Rover Deploys Arm

This image shows a screenshot from the software used by engineers to lower the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit's instrument deployment device, or "arm." The rover's arm movements were tested and performed with the help of this virtual rover world.

Image credit: NASA/JPL
Browse Image | Medium Image (37 kB) | Large (121 kB)
Spirit Reaches Out at JPL
Spirit Reaches Out at JPL

Footage taken at the JPL In-Situ Instruments Laboratory, or "testbed," shows engineers practicing the deployment of the test rover's robotic arm before doing the real thing with the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit at Gusev Crater on Mars. Spirit successfully deployed its robotic arm, which carries four geological instruments, over martian soil early Friday morning. (1/16)

Image credit: NASA/JPL/US Geological Survey
Browse Image | Medium Image (45 kB) | Large (135 kB)
MIonIDDturret_2xZoom-A13R1.jpg
Browse Image (42 kB) | Large (97 kB)
MIonIDDturret-A13R1.jpg
Browse Image (60 kB) | Large (90 kB)
Spirit's Microscopic Vision Demonstrated
Spirit's Microscopic Vision Demonstrated

This close-up image of a penny shows the power of the microscopic imager onboard the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit to see fine details. The picture was taken by the imager during testing at JPL.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/US Geological Survey
Large Image (39 kB)
A Penny for Your Reference
A Penny for Your Reference

This close-up image of a penny shows the degree to which the microscopic imager on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit can zoom in on a target. The penny is seen exactly as it would be on Mars if it were placed under the microscopic imager. This picture was taken by the imager during testing at JPL.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/Geological Survey
Browse Image (69 kB) | Large (122 kB)
MIPenny_2xZoom-A13R1.jpg
Browse Image (53 kB) | Large (116 kB)
MIpenny_3xZoom-A13R1.jpg
Browse Image (40 kB) | Large (93 kB)

JPL Image Use Policy

USA.gov
PRIVACY   I   IMAGE POLICY   I   FAQ   I   SITEMAP   I   CREDITS