This undated image provided by NASA Tuesday Jan. 23, 2006 shows a false-color image taken by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity's panoramic camera showing that the dune crests in the Endurance Crater have accumulated more dust than the flanks of the dunes and the flat surfaces between them. Also evident is a 'blue' tint on the flat surfaces as compared to the dune flanks. This results from the presence of the hematite-containing spherules ('blueberries') that accumulate on the flat surfaces. Sinuous tendrils of sand less than 1 meter (3.3 feet) high extend from the main dune field toward the rover. Scientists hope to send the rover down to one of these tendrils in an effort to learn more about the characteristics of the dunes. Dunes are a common feature across the surface of Mars, and knowledge gleaned from investigating the Endurance dunes close-up may apply to similar dunes elsewhere. (CRIonline Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

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