Rover (Opportunity) takes first dip into crater | BBC

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Rover takes first dip into crater


The path ahead is littered with
round spheres called "blueberries"

The US space agency's Mars rover Opportunity has for the first time
entered a 130m-wide hollow on the Red Planet called Endurance Crater.

The successful foray inside the dip encouraged mission scientists, who are now confident the rover can go deeper.

Scientists want to examine an exposed, dark layer of rock that wraps around the interior of the crater for more clues about water in Mars' past.

But there is still a danger that the rover may get stuck in the depression.

Opportunity rolled in with all six wheels, then back out to the rim to check traction by looking at its own track marks.

The rover is scheduled to drive into the crater for two to three weeks of scientific studies.

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