NASA's Mars Rover Opportunity spent three years driving many miles across the martian surface to reach the western rim of the Endeavor Crater. This crater is 14 miles across and scientist believe it may hold clay-like materials.

After taking many images of its surroundings, the rover will now begin searching for ancient rocks and looking for the elusive clay minerals. The rover has already spent some time using its robotic arm to examine a boulder to see what its made of.

Rover Spirit lost communications last year but Opportunity is still going strong after being on the red planet since 2004, well beyond the three-month expected life span.

Opportunity and Spirit will soon be joined by the yet to be launched nuclear-powered mobile laboratory named Curiosity. Curiosity is set for launch in November and should reach Mars in the summer of 2012.

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