This picture shows where Meridiani Planum is on Mars.
Click on image for full size
Windows to the Universe original artwork by Randy Russell using images courtesy NASA/JPL.

A Place on Mars called Meridiani Planum

Meridiani Planum is the name of a flat plain on Mars. Opportunity landed there. Opportunity is one of the Mars Exploration Rovers.

Meridiani Planum is very flat. "Planum" means "plain". Scientists think there used to be water where the plain is now. They aren't sure about that. They hope Opportunity will find out. They think there is a mineral on the plain that usually forms in water. That mineral is called hematite.

Meridiani Planum is just to the east of the grand canyon on Mars. The grand canyon on Mars is called Valles Marineris.

Last modified December 31, 2003 by Randy Russell.

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