Ruiz Garcia

        This mosaic was acquired by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity on Sol 2518 (February 22, 2011). After IDD (Instrument Deployment Device) work on outcrop named Luis de Torres in the bright area on the southeast corner of the rim of Santa Maria Crater, Opportunity approached a bluish rock named Ruiz Garcia just inside the rim of the crater. Santa Maria Crater was named for one of Columbus's ships, and rocks in the region have been named either for Santa Maria crewmembers or words in the indigenous Caribbean Taino language. Pancam's 753nm, 535nm, and 432nm filters were used in this mosaic.  Two versions are available below at full resolution: an approximate true color rendering, and a false color stretch to enhance the subtle color differences in the scene.

Jim Bell
Pancam Instrument Lead
April 2, 2011