Imaging for Mini-TES support, part one

         The Spirit rover acquired this small mosaic of nearby rocks and soil on Sol 437 (Mar. 26, 2005). Much of Pancam's work is in support of the other science instruments onboard. Taken from in front of the rover, this mosaic is visual imaging support for an area of interest to the Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer, or Mini-TES, observations. Mini-TES analyzes radiated heat (thermal emissions) from rocks and soil to learn of their composition. The rocks in the right side of this image range from around 20 to 40 cm (about 8 to 16 inches) in width. This is the first of two associated observations; the second was taken on Sol 438.
         This mosaic was acquired in Pancam's 753-nm, 535-nm, and 482-nm filters. Two versions are offered here at full resolution: an approximately true color rendering, and a false color stretch to bring out subtle color differences in the scene.