Focusing the 100-millimeter Mastcam [detail]

    This image is from a test series used to characterize the 100-millimeter Mast Camera on NASA's Curiosity rover. It was taken on Aug. 23, 2012, and looks south-southwest from the rover's landing site.

    The 100-millimeter Mastcam has three times better resolution than Curiosity's 34-millimeter Mastcam, though it has a narrower field of view.

    In the distance, there are dark dunes and then the layered rock at the base of Mount Sharp. Some haze obscures the view, but the top ridge, depicted in this image, is 10 miles (16.2 kilometers) away.

    Scientists enhanced the color in this version to show the Martian scene under the lighting conditions we have on Earth, which helps in analyzing the terrain.

    An annotated version [bit.ly/RVMdcs] of the image indicates the distances to different features. They were calculated using a computer program that analyzes data from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

    Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

    NASA image use policy.

    NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.

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    Comments and faves

    1. ★

      ^Javier Bravo^, Kevin, U.S. Embassy Montevideo, Pontus_GBG, and 132 other people added this photo to their favorites.

    2. Serge Freeman (9 months ago | reply)

      Really impressive!

    3. toureasy47201 (9 months ago | reply)

      Oh wow, what a great shot! Such a beautiful and forbidding landscape.

    4. jikatu (9 months ago | reply)

      Breathtaking !!!!

    5. postertime (9 months ago | reply)

      Very cool !!!
      .

    6. rmsoansphotography (9 months ago | reply)

      Doesn't look like a Mars bar after all :(

    7. OldTom2009 (9 months ago | reply)

      Stunning technology.

    8. i.helsby (9 months ago | reply)

      The slopes of the hills are all at the same angle to the right and at a different angle to the left, Why? Water - Wind?

    9. Jack Fusco (9 months ago | reply)

      Absolutely awe-inspiring. I can't even put the right words in to text when I see these photos. Thank you for sharing

    10. 2013AD (9 months ago | reply)

      sedimentary rock?

    11. Derek_Custer (9 months ago | reply)

      Great to see these images.

    12. jasbond007 (9 months ago | reply)

      Wow, fantastic!

    13. gerrygutteridge (9 months ago | reply)

      Truly outstanding work....unbelievable we are seeing such things...

    14. Beginner*s Mind ~ ;-) (9 months ago | reply)

      www.flickr.com/photos/zeisberg/7905040856/in/ contacts/

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