NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory released Tuesday the highest-resolution picture ever taken of another planet.

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The color image shows a rocky, barren landscape that stretches from the Spirit rover's landing site to the horizon.

Other images released Tuesday show streaks in dust made by winds, rocks that were apparently smoothed by the wind and marks made in the dirt when the lander retracted its airbags.

Jim Bell, who is in charge of the panoramic camera, told News.com that the image is actually a composite of several shots, but that the 12 million megapixel image is three to four times better than anything taken before.

NewScientist quoted lead scientist Steven Squyres as saying that the soil acted strangely when the lander's airbags retracted.

"I don't understand it, and I don't know anyone on my team who understands it," he said.

The surface seems to have a cohesive layer on top that broke apart and perhaps folded in places as it was disturbed. It somewhat resembles soil layers seen in some Viking lander images, called duracrust, but the way it is cracked and folded is unique.

The Spirit rover's systems are working well, mission controllers said Monday. The vehicle is still on it's landing pad, and is expected to roll onto the surface of the planet next week. It's first target will be a depression seen near the craft.

A second NASA rover, known as Opportunity, is headed toward Mars, with an expected landing later this month.

NASA's mission Web site