2 weeks ago, the Mars-rover Opportunity spotted a rock that was suspected to be a meteorite, close to its route. Now after it's inspection of the meteorite, we can reveal close up images of the 45cm rock

Opportunity's cameras first revealed the meteorite in images taken on Sol 2363 (Sept. 16, 2010), the 2,363rd Martian day of the rover's mission on Mars. This view was taken with the panoramic camera on Sol 2371 (Sept. 24, 2010).

The science team used two tools on Opportunity's arm - the microscopic imager and the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer - to inspect the rock's texture and composition. Information from the spectrometer confirmed that the rock is a nickel-iron meteorite. The team informally named the rock "Oileán Ruaidh" (pronounced ay-lan ruah), which is the Gaelic name for an island off the coast of northwestern Ireland.

Opportunity departed Oileán Ruaidh and resumed its journey toward the mission's long-term destination, Endeavour Crater, on Sol 2374 (Sept. 28, 2010) with a drive of about 100m.

The Martian meteotrite Oileán Ruaidh close up. CLICK IMAGE for full resolution

This view, presented in approximately true color, combines component images taken through three Pancam filters admitting wavelengths of 601nm, 535nm and 482nm.

Source:: NASA