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39 Mission Control erupted into cheers.
40 The team was thrilled. But they expected to find less at Opportunity’s
landing site than they had found at Spirit’s. Scientists had chosen
Meridiani Planum because it was the safest area to land, flat and
featureless. Opportunity would probably have to drive around for a while
over the fine red soil, they thought, to even find a rock worth studying.

41 Opportunity shook off his airbags, unfolded his instruments, and
beamed his first photos to Mission Control.

42 “Holy smokes!” Steve Squyres exclaimed. “I’m sorry. I’m just—I’m
blown away by this.”
43 Just 10 yards away, large, layered slabs of rock jutted out in front of
the rover. Opportunity had landed smack in a shallow crater, about 30
yards wide and a couple of yards deep. It was like scoring a great big
interplanetary hole in one!

44 More pictures flashed on the screen. Opportunity’s photos showed
exposed rock layers that scientists had never seen before on Mars.

45 Steve’s eyes widened. “That outcrop in the distance is just out of this
world. I can’t wait to get there. I’ve got nothing else to say. I just want to
look.”

46 Somebody called out, “Did we hit the sweet spot?”
47 “This is the sweetest spot I’ve ever seen!” is all Steve could manage
in reply.

Steve Squyres celebrates with
others in Mission Control at the
successful landing of the second
rover, Opportunity.

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