Spirit like Opportunity: a Martian "Iron Meteorite" is found... (1) - Sol 809

Caption originale:"The rock in the center foreground of this picture is suspected of being an Iron Meteorite. The PanCam on NASA's MER Spirit took this image during the Rover's 809th Sol (such as April 12, 2006).
The foreground rock, informally named Allan Hills, and a similar rock called Zhong Shan, just out of the field of view to the left, have a smoother texture and lighter tone than other rocks in the area.

The texture and glossiness of this pair reminded some members of the rover science team of a rock called Heat Shield Rock, which was observed by Opportunity, Spirit's twin, in the Meridiani Region of Mars more than a year ago. Examination of that rock's composition confirmed it to be an iron meteorite.

Observations of Allan Hills and Zhong Shan with Spirit's Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer indicate that they are very reflective, like Heat Shield Rock.
They are the first likely meteorites found by Spirit".