Evidence of Past & Present Life on the Red Planet
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MIA021: Trail Left by the Rover
MIA021: Trail Left by the Rover
IMAGE DETAILS
Mars Report Ref: MIA021
Report date: July-August 2017/Updated March 2016
Research Status: EXPLAINED
Description: Trail Left by the Rover
Approximate size: 25 m
Mission: Opportunity Rover
Location: Victoria Crater, Meridiani Planum
Found by: N/A
Image date: Sol 1070, Jan 2007
Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell
Graphics/image editing: M. J. Craig
Image source: (1) https://mars.nasa.gov/mer/gallery/all/1/p/1070/1P223169139EFF78VAP2629L4M1.HTML
(2) https://mars.nasa.gov/mer/gallery/all/1/p/1070/1P223169161EFF78VAP2629L5M1.HTML
OBSERVATIONS
​Some Mars enthusiasts believed this picture to be possible evidence for artificial constructions on the surface. A perceived lack of information and feedback from NASA to the public to explain this image, undoubtedly fed this interpretation.
​POTENTIAL FOR ARTIFICIAL OBJECTS
None. The surface markings are satisfactorily explained by the Opportunity traverse map that shows where the rover travelled, and an overhead image from the HiRISE Orbiter that reveals the wheel tracks still visible on the surface. Also, the rover was undertaking odometry tests at the time which involved turning the wheels, and which probably accounts for the furrowed nature of the surface marks.
COMMON EXPLANATION
ACCEPTED - Wheel tracks left by the rover.
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MIA021.2 Trail left by the rover: from a distance - Sol 1070
Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell
MIA021.1 Trail left by the rover: Close-up - Sol 1070
Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell
Image source: https://mars.nasa.gov/mer/gallery/all/1/p/1070/1P223169139EFF78VAP2629L4M1.HTML
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MIA021.3 Trail left by the Rover: Explained
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1. Image taken in 2007 by the Opportunity Rover at Victoria Crater on Sol 1070, reveals strange markings on the Martian surface
Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell; image source: https://mars.nasa.gov/mer/gallery/all/1/p/1070/1P223169173EFF78VAP2629L6M1.JPG
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2. Image of Victoria Crater taken by the Mars Orbiter HiRISE, shows the Opportunity Rover wheel tracks
Image credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona; graphics: M. J. Craig; image source: https://www.uahirise.org/PSP_004289_1780
​3. Traverse Map showing the route taken by the Opportunity Rover at Victoria Crater
Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell/University of Arizona; image source: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mer/images/jc1-20071210.html