Mars surface. Bedrock (light colour) on Mars, seen from the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity, which landed on 24 January 2004. This image was taken with the panoramic camera soon after landing. The rover landed in an area called Meridiani Planum. Opportunity, and an identical rover called Spirit, will study Martian rocks and look for water on the planet. The bedrock found under the Martian sands may differ from the rocks found on the surface.