Winter Wonderland

The Opportunity Mars rover will awaken to this view for the next several months as it settles in for the long Martian winter. It is on the inner rim of Endeavour Crater, at a spot named Greeley Haven in honor of a mission scientist who died in late 2011. The spot offers good exposure to the Sun as it scoots across the sky during the short days. Opportunity's solar panels are covered with so much dust that the rover must cease its roving and use most of its power to keep warm. It will examine the rocks around it, however, and scientists will monitor tiny changes in its radio signals to probe the Martian interior. Opportunity arrived at Mars in January 2004, and has covered more than 21 miles. [NASA/JPL/Cornell/Arizona State]