NASA’s Curiosity rover snapped this dreamy timelapse of a Martian day

A couple of weeks in the past, NASA’s robotic Mars explorers got a while off from arduous work whereas the company waited out Mars solar conjunction, a pure phenomenon that might intrude with their communications. Main as much as the pause, the Curiosity rover was put in park — however its Hazard-Avoidance Cameras (Hazcams) stored snapping away. In a primary for the rover, Curiosity recorded the passage of a Martian day over 12 hours from its stationary place, capturing its personal shifting shadow on the panorama because the solar strikes from daybreak to nightfall. It held onto the pictures till after the conjunction ended on November 25.

NASA/JPL-Caltech

Curiosity was given directions to document the 12-hour sequences just a few days earlier than the conjunction started in mid-November, based on NASA. The concept was to see if it may catch any climate occasions that may crop up. That didn’t find yourself taking place, however the photos Curiosity snapped on November 8 are nonetheless fairly enchanting. They’ve been pieced collectively in two movies displaying the view from its entrance and rear Hazcams.

Curiosity’s Hazcams are usually used to assist drivers keep away from terrain that may very well be harmful to the rover. However with the rover parked forward of its pause in duties from November 11 to November 25, the cameras have been freed up for a little bit of sight-seeing. Curiosity recorded from its place on the base of Mars’ Mount Sharp from 5:30AM to five:30PM. It and the opposite Mars explorers have since resumed their regular actions.

NASA/JPL-Caltech

This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nasas-curiosity-rover-snapped-this-dreamy-timelapse-of-a-martian-day-175701537.html?src=rss

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