Photos: Cool images from Mars
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Credit: AFP/Getty Images
-, SPACE: This front hazard-avoidance image released by NASA 18 February, 2004, taken by the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit on sol 45, shows Spirit in its new location after a drive totaling about 20 meters (65.6 feet). The circular depression that Spirit is in, dubbed "Laguna Hollow," was most likely formed by a small impact. Scientists were interested in reaching Laguna Hollow because of the location's abundance of very fine, dust-like soil. The fine material could be atmospheric dust that has settled into the depression, or a salt-based material that causes crusts in the soils and coating on rocks. To help scientists get a better look at the variations in the fine-grained dust at different depths, controllers commanded Spirit to "jiggle" its wheels in the soil before backing away to a distance that allows the area to be reached with the robotic arm. AFP PHOTO/NASA/JPL (Photo credit should read NASA/JPL/AFP/Getty Images)
