This image is part of a series of color strips being acquired by HiRISE to support future traverse planning by the Curiosity rover.

The enhanced-color subimage shows an interesting portion of this scene, on the low slopes at the base of “Mount Sharp”, where the rover could study deposits with diverse lithologies (rock types). The darkest areas mark deposits of loose, windblown sand. In general the bluer colors mark unaltered igneous minerals whereas the warm colors are due to altered minerals.

The experiments carried by the rover can provide much more detailed information about the compositions and implications for the geologic history of Mars.

Written by: Alfred McEwen   (10 October 2012)

More info and image formats at http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_028823_1755

Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona