Even in its non-functional state, NASA’s Curiosity Rover serves as an effective sundial on the desolate Martian terrain. Two monochromatic timelapse videos depicting a day on Mars have been captured by the rover.
Prior to the Mars solar conjunction, a phase when the Sun aligns between Earth and Mars, the rover was directed to record videos. During the conjunction, NASA refrained from sending commands to the spacecraft on Mars to avoid interference caused by solar plasma affecting radio communications.
While Curiosity typically utilizes its Hazcams for identifying rocks and potential obstacles, the team, with most other rover activities paused during the conjunction, chose to employ the Hazcams for the first time to capture 12 hours of snapshots, aiming to gain additional insights into Mars.
Although the footage did not reveal noteworthy weather incidents, the two 25-frame videos showcase the passage of time from 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM local Mars time. The silhouette of Curiosity shifts on the Martian surface, transitioning from morning to afternoon and eventually night.
In the first video, the shadow of the rover’s 2-meter robotic arm moves leftward as the sky brightens during sunrise. Curiosity’s front wheels become visible on either side of the frame, and a circular calibration target on the robotic arm’s shoulder emerges.
The second video provides a rear Hazcam perspective, offering a view down the slopes of Mount Sharp to the floor of Gale Crater. It displays the rover’s right wheel and the shadow of its power system. A minor anomaly occurs around the 17th frame, attributed to a cosmic ray striking the camera sensor.
