A new HiRISE image shows the landing site of the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity. The prominent impact crater on the right-hand side of the image is „Endurance crater“ where Opportunity spent about ten months of its now nearly three-year mission. The bright irregularly-shaped feature in area „a“ of the image is Opportunity’s parachute, now lying on the martian surface. Near the parachute is the cone-shaped „backshell“ that helped protect Opportunity’s lander during its seven-month journey to Mars. Area „b“ of the image shows the impact point and the broken remnants of Opportunity’s heat shield. Area „c“ of the image shows „Eagle crater“, the small martian impact crater where Opportunity’s airbag-cushioned lander came to rest. The lander is still clearly visible on the floor of the crater.
Mars Exploration Rover Landing Site at Meridiani Planum