Opportunity s Decade on Mars
Explanation:
On January 25 (UT) 2004, the Opportunity rover fell to Mars, making
today the
10th
anniversary of
its landing.
After more than 3,500 sols
(
Mars solar days)
the golf cart-sized robot from Earth is still actively
exploring
the Red Planet, though its original mission plan was for
three months.
This self-portrait was made
with Opportunity's panoramic camera earlier
this month.
The camera's supporting mast has been edited out of the image
mosaic but its shadow is visible on the
dusty
solar panels arrayed across the rover's deck.
For comparison, a similar
self-portrait from late 2004
is shown in the inset.
Having driven some 39 kilometers (24 miles) from its landing site,
Opportunity now rests
at Solander Point at the rim of Endeavour Crater.
Gallery:
Supernova in M82 -
Online Viewing:
Virtual Telescope
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
