Which specific geographical features were the landing sites for Spirit and Opportunity, respectively?
Answer
Gusev Crater and Meridiani Planum
The Mars Exploration Rovers were strategically placed on two geologically distinct areas to maximize the potential for comparative study regarding ancient Martian water. Spirit landed inside Gusev Crater, a large impact basin that held the scientific hypothesis of potentially having once contained a lake environment. In contrast, Opportunity touched down much farther west on Meridiani Planum, a region characterized as a relatively flat plain situated near the Martian equator. This deliberate placement ensured that the subsequent data collected would showcase the diverse nature of past aqueous environments across the planet, providing two different narratives of Martian hydration history.
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