NASA’s Mars rover, Curiosity, recently captured a breathtaking photo of the Martian skies and landscape, providing researchers with a glimpse of the red planet at different times of day.
Since its arrival on Mars in August 2012, Curiosity captured these images using black-and-white navigation cameras on April 8, 2023, as stated in a news release by NASA. These morning and afternoon photos were then transformed into panoramic images by NASA scientists, who also added color to create a visually stunning “postcard” that highlights the contrast between the two times the photos were taken.
The panoramic postcard showcases various Mars landmarks, including “Marker Band Valley,” where Curiosity previously discovered evidence of a potential ancient lake, as well as two hills named “Bolivar” and “Deepdale.” In the distance, the rim of Gale Crater, which Curiosity is currently exploring, can be seen. The clear day also allowed the photo to capture a mountain located 54 miles from the edge of the crater.
The photo also features Curiosity itself and its tracks across the dusty Martian landscape. However, more remarkable than the landscape photography is the insight it provides into the movement of the sun and shadows on Mars.
Doug Ellison, a Curiosity engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, compared the changing lighting conditions on Mars to the different scenes witnessed in national parks throughout the day. The two times of day captured in the photos showcase dark shadows on both sides, similar to the lighting effects on a stage.
While the original black-and-white photos are visually striking, highlighting deepening shadows on each side, NASA’s inclusion of color in the panoramic images adds further depth and dimension to the visual experience.
In the afternoon photos, the shadows appear on the right side, resulting in a darker overall image.
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