Oppy from space

Hi all,

In a press confrence today, the MER and MRO teams released a colour photo of Victoria crater taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

http://hiroc.lpl.arizona.edu/images/TRA/TRA_000873_1780/

The detail if amazing. If your ISP can handle it, then download the full-sized version of the image. (over 16Mb! 8O ) If not, the browse image is still very good. Opportunity is easily visible near the crater's edge, but what I find particularly interesting are all the rocks on the crater floor that have broken away from the cliffs. If they can get the rover down inside, I think they will be there for quite some time!

That is some camera they have on that spacecraft!!!! Herb, when do you expect to have them in stock!!!

Cheers,

Maurice

PS: forgot to add the thumbnail. (Yes the image below is what the MRO team call a thumbnail!!!!! 8O )

Attached Image:

Its nice that they now can look and see such detail prior to sending the rovers in. 8O
Brian

If they can get the rover down inside, I think they will be there for quite some time!
They just want to be sure they can drive OUT first! The crumbly look to the cliffs of Victoria give me pause. I can just imagine Opportunity going up to a outcrop, "ratting" a spot and causing an avalanche! Don't think Steve Squyers or Jim Bell would approve (or allow!).

That is some camera they have on that spacecraft!!!!
It is amazing what a half meter F/24 scope can do from 275 kilometers up above the thin Martian atmosphere! Can't wait for the stereo version (!) promised during the press conference.

Here's a breakdown of the scope:
http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/HiRISE/instrument.html

Thanks for posting the "thumbnail". The hi-rez shots are incredible!

Jeff