Making Tracks on Mars (3-D)

NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit has been making tracks on Mars for seven months now, well beyond its original 90-day mission, traveling more than 3 kilometers (2 miles) to the "Columbia Hills." Its wheel tracks approach from the northwest on the right side of this 360-degree view of the rolling martian terrain. Spirit's on-board navigation camera took the images that make up this stereo image on sol 210 and sol 213 (Aug. 5 and Aug. 8, 2004). The rover is now conducting scientific studies of the local geology on the "Clovis" outcrop of the "West Spur" of the "Columbia Hills." The field of view is 360 degrees from right to left and is presented in a cylindrical projection with geometrical seam correction. Stay tuned for a color panoramic view in the days ahead.

Image credit: NASA/JPL