NASA rover Opportunity lands safely on Mars The US Opportunity rover touched down on the surface of Mars late Saturday, NASA said. It is the second US craft to land on Mars this month. Opportunity's twin rover, Spirit, landed Jan. 3 but on the opposite side of the red planet. The rover landed on the plains of Meridiani Planum in outcropping of gray hematite, a mineral that usually forms in the presence of water.

Latest from Opportunity Mars rover Opportunity nears Martian bowl goal Opportunity peeks out over rim Opportunity takes microscopic images of Mars rock Opportunity takes first real drive on Mars Opportunity stretches out to "embrace" Mars Opportunity rolls onto Martian ground Mars rover sees possible water evidence Healthier Spirit gets back to work while Opportunity prepares to roll Opportunity rover begins standing up Twin Mars rovers Spirit, Opportunity beam back new images NASA: Second Mars rover having problems US rover arrives safely on Mars NASA Rover Opportunity lands on Mars Second Mars rover landing prepared NASA trimmed Opportunity's course to land on Mars  Latest from Spirit Mars rover Spirit sets new driving record Spirit rover drills hole into Mars rock Healthier Spirit gets back to work while Opportunity prepares to roll Twin Mars rovers Spirit, Opportunity beam back new images NASA makes progress in fixing Mars rover NASA receives Mars rover transmissions NASA unable to communicate with Mars Spirit rover Spirit drives to a rock called "Adirondack" for close inspection Spirit's robotic arm begins work on Mars Spirit rolls onto Mars surface US rover sends images back from Mars NASA commands Spirit to roll off lander onto Martian surface Spirit completes 115 degree turn 1st 360-degree panoramic photo from Spirit released Hazy Martian skies Spirit rises to the occasion Space shuttle Columbia crew memorialized on Mars US Mars rover beams back first color image NASA releases 3-D pictures of Mars surface US rover lands safely on Mars Backgrounder: Spirit, the robotic geologist to roam on Mars