PIA23135: Curiosity Observes Sunset Eclipse: Sol 2358


Curiosity Observes Sunset Eclipse: Sol 2358

Caption:

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This series of images shows the shadow of Phobos as it sweeps over NASA's Curiosity Mars rover and darkens the sunlight on Monday, March 25, 2019 (the 2,358th sol, or Martian day, of the mission).

This image was taken by one of Curiosity's Navigation Cameras (Navcams). The sequence has been contrast-enhanced and sped up by a factor of four.

The image was taken after the Sun had descended behind the horizon, just as Phobos was rising and throwing its elongated shadow across the Martian surface. Dust particles in the atmosphere acted as a screen against which the shadow was projected.

Background Info:

Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, built and operates Mastcam. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the Mars Science Laboratory mission and the mission's Curiosity rover for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The rover was designed, developed and assembled at JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

For more information about Curiosity, visit https://mars.nasa.gov/msl .

For more information about Mars, visit https://mars.nasa.gov .

Cataloging Keywords:

Name Value Additional Values
Target Phobos Mars
System Mars
Target Type Satellite Planet
Mission Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)
Instrument Host Curiosity Rover
Host Type Rover
Instrument Navigation Camera (Navcam)
Detector
Extra Keywords Atmosphere, Dust, Eclipse, Grayscale, Shadow
Acquisition Date
Release Date 2019-04-04
Date in Caption 2019-03-25
Image Credit NASA/JPL-Caltech
Source photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA23135
Identifier PIA23135