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Picture of the day -
July 24, 2007
A "Martian" cliff
Photo courtesy of
NASA.
The rocky cliff featured in today's picture looks a lot like the
ones we have here on earth, but this one is literally out of this
world. What you're looking at is a portion of the wall of Victoria
Crater on the planet Mars!
Over three years ago the twin robotic explorers Spirit and
Opportunity landed on the surface of our most earth-like neighbor
for what was supposed to be a 90 day mission, but like the Energizer
Bunny they have just kept going and going and going. Over the course
of their mission, these amazing machines have explored the Martian
soil, numerous rocks, and a number of impact craters. Opportunity is
now visiting Victoria Crater, which for a number of reasons will
likely be her final resting place when her long journey finally
comes to an end.
When exploring any heavenly body with a solid surface, craters are
of great interest because they literally offer us earthlings a look
into its geologic past and composition by exposing layers of rock
and soil that would otherwise be hidden beneath the surface - and
Spirit and Opportunity have given us humans a close-up look at
several of the craters dotting the Martian landscape.
NASA engineers are hoping to send Opportunity on a sub-mission down
inside Victoria Crater, but powerful dust storms have encircled the
red planet in recent weeks, dramatically reducing the amount of
sunlight striking both rovers' solar panels and weakening their
batteries to the point where their very survival is at stake.
If the Martian sky clears in time to allow the sun's rays to
re-charge their batteries before they stop working altogether, the
intrepid explorers should be able to carry on with their missions.
If not, they have certainly far exceeded everyone's expectations and
they'll take their well-deserved retirement right there on the
planet they have taught us so much about.
Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!
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