Field Report from Mars: Sol 4669

Opportunity has begun the drive down the long descending southward slope of the rim crest here. The destination is a notch in the rim of Endeavour crater which is also the head of a small and ancient water-cut valley. There is a good view south along the rim from this location, although a dusty one.

The view behind us shows that we are driving on a relatively smooth terrain of regolith, while to the east (left in this view) there are substantial outcrops of the impact crater breccias making up the crater rim. This is also the highest point on the rim. After this location we will be descending a good 100 meters or so to the next target on the rim.

The Pancam panorama looking south and the drive ahead shows where we are going. The bright mesa-like feature is over 800 meters away and just a 100 meters or so beyond the point where Opportunity is headed. You can also see the significant "hole" of the crater to the left of the rim. Notice that the regional dust storm is seriously impacting visibility, as it is power.