Thisfalsecolorimageof a largeDuinenProctorcraterwastakenbythehighResolutionImagingScienceExperimentcameraaboardNASA's MarsReconnaissanceOrbiter, orMorrow, In 2000 andnine.
A spiritslandingsiteisat a higherlatitudessothewintersaremuchmoresevere.
Andsocoaxingthatvehiclethrough a cold, uh, darkMartianwinteris a muchtougherjobthanitisforopportunity, butit's stillsentbacksomeincredibleimagesandinformationduringitssixyearrun.
Oneofthemostmemorableisthispictureof a Martiansunsettakenin 2005, showingjusthowmuchfurtherawaythesunisonMarsthanitisonEarth.
Appearingas a brightmoonsizedspecinthedistancespiritspicturewastakenfromtheGusevCraterrightarounddinnertime.
Certainly a greatwaytospendanevening.
Fiveyearslater, Opportunitysentbackitsownsurrealtimelapseof a Martiansunsetin 2015.
Scientistscontinuetotheorizeabouthowexactlysuch a massivecanyonsystemformed, whetherfromtectonicactivity, liquidwater, meltingpermafrostor a combination.