Amazing Mars Discoveries By Rovers Spirit & Opportunity

Photo Credit: NASA/JPL

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Amazing Mars Discoveries By Rovers Spirit & Opportunity

The robotic rovers Spirit and Opportunity arrived on Mars in January 2004 to search for clues of past water activity. They were designed to last three months. But the plucky explorers far exceeded anyone's expectations. Spirit kept chugging for more than six years, finally ceasing communications with Earth in March 2010; Opportunity is still going strong. The data the pair has beamed back not only shed light on Mars' past and present, but could also help humans prepare for life there in the future.

Born in a Fiery Explosion

Photo Credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell

Born in a Fiery Explosion

Spirit's discovery of basaltic rock at its landing site, Gusev Crater, strongly suggested the region was the product of a volcanic explosion during which magma and water had mixed.

Dust Devils

Photo Credit: NASA/JPL

Dust Devils

In 2005, Spirit managed to film a bevy of dust devils twisting across the Martian landscape. The clip gave scientists a rare glimpse into one of the few active processes still shaping the surface of Mars today.

Photographing Earth-like Clouds

Photo Credit: NASA/JPL.

Photographing Earth-like Clouds

Among their many firsts, the rovers photographed Earth-like clouds in the Martian sky for the first time from the planet's surface.

Alien Meteorite

Photo Credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell

10 Amazing Mars Discoveries by Rovers Spirit & Opportunity

Amazing Mars Discoveries By Rovers Spirit & Opportunity

Born in a Fiery Explosion

Born in a Fiery Explosion

Dust Devils

Dust Devils

Photographing Earth-like Clouds

Photographing Earth-like Clouds

Alien Meteorite