What mineral, typically forming in water on Earth, was indicated by spectral data at Opportunity's landing site?
Answer
Hematite.
The selection of Meridiani Planum as Opportunity's landing site was directly driven by specific scientific data gathered from orbit. Spectral data analyzed prior to landing indicated an unusually high concentration of hematite across that region of Mars. On Earth, hematite often forms when iron-bearing minerals react with water, frequently through processes involving subsurface water circulation or localized surface pooling. The presence of this specific mineral provided a strong pre-mission indicator that the site would yield evidence of past aqueous activity, making the investigation of these hematite deposits Opportunity's foremost initial imperative.
Related Questions
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