Unmarked Opportunity
Date: 3 Oct 2006

This image from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows Victoria crater, an impact crater at Meridiani Planum, near the equator of Mars. The crater is approximately 800 m (half a mile) in diameter. It has a distinctive scalloped shape to its rim, caused by erosion and downhill movement of crater wall material. Layered sedimentary rocks are exposed along the inner wall of the crater, and boulders that have fallen from the crater wall are visible on the crater floor. The floor of the crater is occupied by a striking field of sand dunes.


Beginning in January 2004, the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity operated at Meridiani Planum. Five days before this image was taken, Opportunity arrived at the rim of Victoria crater, after a drive of more than 9 km (over 5 miles). The rover is visible at the center of this cropped image. (See Marked Opportunity for a labeled version of this image)


Last Update: 10 Jun 2011 (AMB)

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona/Cornell/Ohio State University