Back in September 2010 (wow, was it really that long ago?!?!?!) Oppy came across a rusted, wind-etched chunk of iron, standing on the Meridiani plain like an ancient martian sculpture – a meteorite (above). It was christened “Oilean Ruaidh”, and lots of images were taken of it before Oppy continued on her way. I wrote about it in a few posts at the time, including this one…
Well, the latest release of PDS images from NASA includes calibrated versions of those raws, so I’ve had another go at making portraits of what I believe to be the most starstone Oppy has found on her epic journey… so far!
Here, then, are my new portraits of “Oilean Ruauidh”… click on each to enlarge it, as usual…
The Road To Endeavour 
Fine work, Stu. Wow, that ancient lump of metal should have an honored place in a nice museum here on Earth…say, the Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia, USA? Oh yes, that’s the one! My wife and I drive by it every day on our way to work. Wonderful place.
Now, if we could just figure out how to get Oilean Ruaidh back here. Hmm.