OK more information on the Filter arrangement and location of the photo.
This is the same area after opportunity reached the crater rim.
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/mer/2...86-516-245.jpg
And a small quote from NASA on it.
Quote:
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Nasa Opportunity WebsiteThe panoramic camera took them through the camera's 750-nanometer, 530-nanometer and 430-nanometer filters. The false color enhances subtle color differences among materials in the rocks and soils of the scene.
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Thats the exact same filter arrangement used in the picture of New Scientist article. Guess they should of 'Checked' their sources.
*edited to add*
Nice to see I wasn't that far off on my own assembling of those filter channels. Althought it definately not black sand, but differences in minerals showing because of the filtering arrangement.