# Solander Point

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North end of Endeavour crater on Mars

Annotated map with location of Solander Point, on Endeavour crater's western rim

**Solander Point** is at the north end of the west-southwestern ridgeline of [Endeavour crater](/source/Endeavour_(crater)) on the planet [Mars](/source/Mars). It is named after the [Swedish](/source/Sweden) scientist [Daniel Solander](/source/Daniel_Solander), who was the first university-educated scientist to set foot on Australian soil at [Botany Bay](/source/Botany_Bay) in 1770.

Solander Point was visited in 2013 by the [Mars Exploration Rover](/source/Mars_Exploration_Rover)-B *[Opportunity](/source/Opportunity_rover)*, a robotic [rover](/source/Rover_(space_exploration)) that was active on Mars from 2004-2018. [1]

By early July 2013 *Opportunity* was approaching it from the North, after previously examining outcrops on the northwest edge of the crater, north of Solander.[2] The rover drove south from *Cape York* through *Botany Bay* to travel to Solander.[3] By July 2, 2013, it was about half-way there.[3] The area was imaged from Martian orbit by [HiRISE](/source/HiRISE) on July 8, 2013, data which aids the rover team in understanding the terrain and planning rover traverses.[4] The rover made good time on its approach to Solander, giving *Opportunity* time to investigate a curious area of terrain in the crater.[5][6] At the start of August, the rover was less than 100 meters (328 ft) from Solander,[7] and arrived at its base in the following days.[8] Its arrival signaled the availability of a northward facing slope, useful for angling to collect more sunlight during the Martian winter.[8] In October and November 2013, the rover climbed up the north end of Solander.[9] By December 2013, the rover reached the top of Solander point hill as the 10 year anniversary of its landing on Mars neared.[10] After Solander point *Opportunity* moved along Murray Ridge, and then south to Cape Tribulation.[11]

Between Solander Point and, to north of it Cape York, both of which are raised up, is a lower area that is noted to be a part of the Burns Formation.[12] The Burns Formation extends all the way back to *Opportunity*'s landing site by [Eagle crater](/source/Eagle_(Meridiani_Planum_crater)), and it was heavily studied prior to this time by the rover.[13] The Burns Formation is "high in [sulfate](/source/Sulfate) bearing minerals" according to NASA.[14] Solander Point lies at the geological contact line between the Burns Formation, and what is thought to be an even older geological region.[15]

## Solander point

Solander Point with MER-B rover track November 2013

Looking south on Solander Point with the crater floor to the left

## Map showing journey of MER-B near Solander Point

MER-B's arrival and subsequent path around Cape York, and finally its departure as it headed south into Botany Bay towards Solander Point

A different view of its path towards Solander

MER-B's path to Solander Point, and then down along Murray Ridge. (Up to February 2014)

## Geological regions around Solander

Solander Point is a location on the Western Rim of Endeavour crater, shown here in this geological map produced with data from MRO's CRISM instrument

## Rover views of Solander

		- Looking south along the Western rim of Endeavour crater, Solander Point is the start of the ridge on the right

		- Solander Point from the north

This is a southward uphill view as the rover ascended the mountain in October 2013. It is assembled from NavCam images.[9]

## See also

- [Cape York (Mars)](/source/Cape_York_(Mars))

- [Endeavour crater](/source/Endeavour_crater)

- [*Opportunity* mission timeline](/source/Opportunity_mission_timeline)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Mars Rover Opportunity Approaches Solander Point By Keith Cowing](http://spaceref.com/mars/mars-rover-opportunity-approaches-solander-point.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["NASA - Sol 3351"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140620024319/http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status_opportunityAll.html#sol3351). Archived from [the original](https://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status_opportunityAll.html#sol3351) on 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2013-07-15.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-half_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-half_3-1) [Mars Rover Opportunity Passes Half-Way Point to Next Destination](https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2013-212)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Overhead View of Mars Rover 10 Years After Launch - NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/MRO/news/mro20130717.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [The Planetary Society: L. Crumpler - Field Report From Mars: Sol 3363 - July 10, 2013](http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2013/crumpler-sol3363.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Field Notes from Mars: Sol 3363 - July 10, 2013](http://nmnaturalhistory.org/sol-3363-july-10-2013.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131023013153/http://nmnaturalhistory.org/sol-3363-july-10-2013.html) October 23, 2013, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [August 2, 2013 NNM](http://nmnaturalhistory.org/sol-3385-august-2-2013.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131021060458/http://nmnaturalhistory.org/sol-3385-august-2-2013.html) October 21, 2013, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) [August 2, 2013 TPS](http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2013/crumpler-sol3385.html)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-sol3391_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-sol3391_8-1) ["NASA - Sol 33591"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140620024319/http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status_opportunityAll.html#sol3391). Archived from [the original](https://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status_opportunityAll.html#sol3391) on 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2013-08-13.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-nasauphill_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-nasauphill_9-1) [NASA -Mars Rover *Opportunity* Heads Uphill](https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mer/news/mer20131023.html#.UnvTyvKmxhk)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Opportunity Rover Starts 2nd Decade by Spectacular Mountain Summit and Mineral Goldmine - Universe Today"](http://www.universetoday.com/107684/opportunity-rover-starts-2nd-decade-by-spectacular-mountain-summit-and-mineral-goldmine/). *Universe Today*. 2014-01-19. Retrieved 2018-02-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** mars.nasa.gov. ["Mars Exploration Rover"](https://mars.nasa.gov/mer/gallery/press/opportunity/20140123a.html). *mars.nasa.gov*. Retrieved 2018-02-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Mars Rover Opportunity Working at Edge of 'Solander'"](https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=3875). *NASA/JPL*. Retrieved 2018-02-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Mars Rover Opportunity Working at Edge of 'Solander'"](https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=3875). *NASA/JPL*. Retrieved 2018-02-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Mars Rover Opportunity Working at Edge of 'Solander'"](https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=3875). *NASA/JPL*. Retrieved 2018-02-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Mars Rover Opportunity Working at Edge of 'Solander'"](https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=3875). *NASA/JPL*. Retrieved 2018-02-09.

## External links

- [*Opportunity* Heads Toward Next Destination, 'Solander Point' - NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mer/multimedia/pia16931.html)

- [Mars Rover *Opportunity* Trekking Toward More Layers - NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mer/news/mer20130607.html) (June 7, 2013)

- [Gallery](https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2013-194#1)

- [View From Orbit Showing *Opportunity* in 'Botany Bay'](https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA17278) (view includes Solander Point)

- [HRSC - Western ridge of Endeavour](http://hrscview.fu-berlin.de/cgi-bin/ion-p?ION__E1=UPDATE%3Aion%3A%2F%2Fhrscview2.ion&ION__E2=control%3Aion%3A%2F%2Fhrscview2.ion&image=2064_0000&image1=4+images&pos=2.309S%2C+354.702E&scale=50&viewport=900x900&basemap_on=on&basemap=MOLAelevation&hrsc_on=on&mode=height&pansharpen=on&src_on=on&persp=on&pview=East&exag=1&control.x=95&control.y=11&image0=2064_0000&code=40043803)

- [The Road To Endeavour - July 19, 2013](http://roadtoendeavour.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/oi-oppy-stop-wandering-off-and-get-back-here/)

- [The Planetary Society - Field Report From Mars: Sol 3378 - July 25, 2013](http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2013/crumpler-sol3378.html)

- [Westward view](https://www.nasa.gov/images/content/754154main_Arvidson-1_pia17076_full.jpg)

- [Animation at The Planetary Society](http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/space-images/mars/opportunity-approaches-solander-point-animation.html)

- [K. Kremer - "NASA’s Resilient Opportunity Rover Starts Martian Mountaineering" - *Universe Today*](http://www.universetoday.com/105717/nasas-resilient-opportunity-rover-starts-martian-mountaineering/)

- [Traverse map on Sol 3600](https://web.archive.org/web/20140318062840/http://marsrover.nasa.gov/mission/tm-opportunity/opportunity-sol3600.html)(March 14, 2014)

- [A view of Solander Point from Botany Bay](https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mer/multimedia/pia17271.html#.V_fmhxKeZ_4)

v t e Features on Mars visited by Opportunity List of surface features of Mars visited by Spirit and Opportunity Craters Argo Eagle Fram Endurance Vostok Naturaliste Erebus Beagle Emma Dean Victoria (Cape Verde) Santa Maria Endeavour Endeavour Cape York Solander Point Cape Tribulation Rocks (list) Block Island meteorite Bounce Rock El Capitan Heat Shield Rock Last Chance Mackinac Island meteorite Oileán Ruaidh Shelter Island meteorite Martian spherules Mars Exploration Rover Timeline of Opportunity

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Solander Point](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solander_Point) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solander_Point?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.