What are the markings on the vehicle in this picture for? Are they some sort of visual tag for self calibration? http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/msl1

What are the markings on the vehicle in this picture for? Are they some sort of visual tag for self calibration? http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/msl112511/m11_04047372.jpg http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/msl112511/m11_0404... They're also visible in the pictures from Mars: http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/674846main_pia16011-43_1600-1200.jpg http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/674846main_pia16011-43_16...