Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Matijevic Hill Panorama

NASA ^ | January 25, 2013 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: On January 25 (UT) 2004, the Opportunity rover fell to Mars, making today the 9th anniversary of its landing. After more than 3,200 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. Having driven some 35 kilometers (22 miles) from its landing site, Opportunity's panoramic camera recorded the segments of this scene, in November and December of last year. The digitally stitched panorama spans more than 210 degrees across the Matijevic Hill area along the western rim of Endeavour Crater. Features dubbed Copper Cliff, a dark outcrop, appear at the left, and Whitewater Lake, a bright outcrop, at the far right. The image is presented here in a natural color approximation of what the scene would look like to human eyes.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell/Arizona State U.]

[SunkenCiv]

Happy 9th anniversary of the Opportunity rover's landing on Mars!

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[TheOldLady]

Amazing little rover, Opportunity! Good robot!

I’ll drink (coffee at this hour) to its 9th anniversary, especially since it has lasted 36 times longer than expected.

Amazing.