After years of researching the Red Planet, NASA has made another intriguing discovery. This time, the Curiosity rover, which has been exploring the surface of Mars since 2012, recorded a unique phenomenon. The agency released a GIF sequence that shows the precise changes in the rover’s shadow position.
But that’s not all. In early November, the Curiosity rover was immobilized due to a solar conjunction on Mars, which refers to the situation where the Sun is positioned between Earth and Mars. During these moments, communication between the machines and Earth can be disrupted. That is why NASA decided to direct the rover to record using the Hazcams cameras, which are normally used to detect hazardous objects on the planet’s surface.
The result of this decision is a black-and-white recording with the Hazcams cameras, showing the shadow of Curiosity moving across the frame for twelve hours. The footage was compressed into a 25-frame GIF, allowing for a detailed observation of the changes in the shadow’s position.
This discovery opens up new possibilities for studying Mars’ meteorological conditions and surface-related phenomena. It is yet another proof that the exploration of Mars continues, and we are still uncovering new mysteries of this fascinating place.
FAQ
What is a solar conjunction on Mars?
A solar conjunction on Mars is a situation where the Sun is positioned between Earth and Mars. It can lead to disruptions in communication with machines located on the surface of the Red Planet.
What are Hazcams cameras?
Hazcams cameras are special cameras installed on NASA rovers, designed to detect hazardous objects on the surface of Mars.
Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech
The source of the article is from the blog macholevante.com