Looking Out Over Mars

What would it be like to climb a hill and look out over Mars? That opportunity was afforded the Spirit rover earlier this month as it rolled to a high perch in the Columbia Hills . Peering out, the rolling robot spied the interior plains and distant rim of Gusev Crater , beyond an outcrop of rocks called Longhorn . Spirit continues to find evidence that many rock shapes have been altered by ancient water . Both Spirit and her sister robot Opportunity have completed their primary three-month mission but remain in good enough condition to continue to explore Mars .