12 hours in the heights of the Gediz valley, on Mars… Summarized in a video of a few seconds. To avoid you going into the conditions that go through the Curiosity rover, NASA put together a timelapse for us taken last November. There we find the landscape as grandiose as it is desolate.
As the teams celebrate their 12th year on the Martian soil of the very large Gale Crater in 2024, the Curiosity rover captured this astonishing timelapse. Photos taken at regular intervals, on a single day last November… And to avoid encroaching on the scientific program, the rover took these photos during the conjunction, when the Sun blocked communications between Earth and the red planet.
A period of limited activity which lends itself very well to this type of small experiment, although with the risk of losing data. In fact, we had to wait more than 2 weeks to see the results downloaded using NASA’s network of large antennas. But the result was worth it!
In the calm of the Martian slopes
Ultimately, we have the impression that Curiosity, standing still, behaves like a luxury sundial. But above all, it is satisfying for the ground teams, because it is not “just” continuous image taking. Indeed, the rover’s image sensors used here are Hazcams, or “Hazard Cameras”, specifically designed to observe ground obstacles to prepare the robot’s trajectory.
The Hazcams have an auto-exposure feature to work in different light conditions, but the first and last of the 25-image sequences were taken in very low light (it took over a minute of exposure).
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The rendering is not only contemplative. Among other things, it allows us to understand the conditions in which Curiosity has been operating in recent times. In fact, for almost a year now, he has been entering the long valley of Gediz, between high and steep small mountains.
All with a difference in altitude which is barely visible in the photos, but which regularly reaches and exceeds 20% positive slope, and with uninviting rocks! A major challenge, as the terrain becomes more and more difficult to cross and the available power begins to drop at the level of Curiosity’s radioactive electrical generator. No matter, he’s starting 2024 in the best conditions to make us dream again!
Source : NASA
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