The red dot labeled "Sol 134-141" in this map illustrates when and where
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit acquired the "Santa Anita Panorama."
Scientists consider this area, located roughly three-fourths of the way
between "Bonneville Crater" and the base of the "Columbia Hills," a
treasure trove that may be studied for decades to come. The panorama is
one of four 360-degree full panoramas the rover has acquired during its
mission.
The color thermal inertia data show how well different surface features
hold onto heat. Red indicates a high thermal inertia associated with
rocky terrain (regions that take longer to warm up and cool down); blue
indicates a lower thermal inertia associated with smaller particles and
fewer rocks (areas that warm up and cool off quickly). The map comprises
background images from the camera on NASA's Mars Global Surveyor orbiter
and data from the thermal emission spectrometer on NASA's Mars Odyssey
orbiter.
