Curiosity, the operating rover of NASA for the Mars mission, has snapped a glimpse of what seems to be a sky during morning and afternoon on the red planet.

The international space agency said in a release that the roaming robot captured a photo of two phases using the black-and-white navigation cameras more than two months ago.

NASA Curiosity Shows 'Postcard' Image of 'Marker Band Valley'

(Photo : NASA)
NASA's Mars Rover has caught a sneak peek of the Martian morning and afternoon at different times of the day.

In a report by CBS News on Thursday, June 15, NASA scientists transformed the photos captured on Mars into panoramic images, enhancing them with color to create a visually appealing representation called a "postcard." This artistic touch accentuated the contrasting aspects between the two instances of photo capture.

The panoramic postcard showcases notable landmarks on Mars, including the intriguing "Marker Band Valley," where Curiosity discovered evidence indicating the possible existence of a past lake. Additionally, two hills named "Bolivar" and "Deepdale" grace the scene.

At the edge of the photo, you will see how visible the rim of the Gale Crater is. At the moment, the Curiosity rover is still exploring it. The image even captures a mountain 54 miles away from the crater's edge thanks to clear weather conditions.

The photo also captures Curiosity itself, along with its tracks traversing the dusty Martian landscape. However, the significance of these images goes beyond their captivating portrayal of the Martian terrain.

Related Article: NASA's Curiosity Rover Eyes Sunset on Mars, Captures First 'Sun Rays'

What Does This Mean For the Researchers?

Researchers gain valuable insights into the movement of sunlight and shadows on Mars through these images. Doug Ellison, a Curiosity engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, explained that capturing photos at different times of the day results in distinct dark shadows, akin to the effects of stage lighting.

The monochrome versions of the images are equally striking. Each set displays the same scene but with deepening shadows on opposite sides. 

In the morning photos, shadows are cast to the left, while the afternoon images portray shadows originating from the right, leading to a darker ambiance.

It is worth noting that these photos were taken during winter on Mars, characterized by low dust levels in the Martian atmosphere. 

Consequently, shadows appear sharper and darker during this season, adding to the visual dynamics of the images.

The beauty of the "Marker Band Valley" is only one of the few things that NASA's Curiosity rover has captured since it landed on Mars.

Where to Download the Martian Postcard?

To download the "Postcard" of this Martian attraction in different sizes, just visit this link. There are variations of the image you can save for your photo album on astronomy and space.

Meanwhile, the Hubble Space Telescope photographed a stunning globular star cluster M15. This particular group of celestial bodies are approximately 35,000 light-years away from the Pegasus constellation.

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