Space

2.5-billion-pixel image is the most detailed view ever of Mars landscape

View 2 Images
One section of a new panorama of the Martian landscape captured by the Perseverance rover
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
One section of a new panorama of the Martian landscape captured by the Perseverance rover
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
NASA's Perseverance Rover has captured the most detailed image ever from the Martian surface
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA’s Perseverance rover has captured some incredible imagery since landing on the Red Planet early last year, but none as detailed as its latest effort. A newly arrived panorama presents the Martian landscape in the most detail ever captured from the surface, a stunning mosaic made up of more than 1,000 separate images.

The incredible image was captured in an ancient delta in the Jezero Crater, where Perseverance is on the hunt for signs of life as part of its second science campaign. This delta was created by a river that flowed into Lake Jezero around 3.5 billion years ago, depositing mud and sand on the crater floor.

Perseverance captured this new view using its Mastcam-Z camera system, snapping no less than 1,118 individual images in mid-July that were stitched together to form a color-enhanced 2.5-billion-pixel mosaic.

The rover’s tracks can be seen at the very left of the image where it rolled into the crater, while a rocky 32-foot (10-m) cliff sits directly in front of it. These rocks have been in place for billions of years, enduring wind erosion to slowly take on their jagged forms.

NASA's Perseverance Rover has captured the most detailed image ever from the Martian surface
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

These rocks are believed to be some of the finest-grained sedimentary rocks in the delta, and are therefore good places to search for life. As part of its science operations in the area, Perseverance is drilling into these rocks to analyze their chemistry and mineralogy.

The video below offers a guided tour of the new panorama, while a full resolution version is available at the source link.

Source: NASA

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
5 comments
NMBill
Great video. NASA's planetary missions are among history's greatest technical achievements. The really important stuff in this world is happening outside the political arena.
History Nut
I am fascinated by how much Mars terrain looks like the Mojave Desert in CA where I used to live.
madsci
the "balanced rock" in the video has a very aesthetically pleasing appearance.
TpPa
NASA must have one heck of a data plan😁
reader
Looks like the south coast of Peru.