NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover used its Mascam (Mast Cam) to capture the sun setting in the blue sky. These stunning images were taken on 15 March, 2015, and were returned to Earth this week. Although the photographs were taken during dust storms that occurred on 15 April, 2015, some dust was still high up in Earth’s atmosphere. Scientists believe that sunset observations can help determine the vertical distribution of dust within the atmosphere. Martian sunset, with blue sky. Mastcam is able to see colors in a way similar to our eyes, but it has a slightly lower blue sensitivity than us humans. Mark Lemmon from Texas A&M University College Station is a Curiosity scientist who designed the observations. He said that while Mastcam sees colors in a similar way to our eyes, the light that scatters blue off of dust keeps it closer to the sun’s direction than other colors. As yellow and red light are scattered all across the sky, the rest of it is yellow-orange. This happens because yellow and red light tend to scatter more than being absorbed. On Mars, sunsets can make the blues near the Sun stand out more. Normal daylight, however, makes the dust’s reddish colour stronger. Mastcam, also known as Mastcam, captures color photos and video of Martian terrain. Image: NASA. Since its landing in the Gale Crater on August 2012., the Mars Curiosity Rover (or Mars Curiosity Rover) has been studying both the ancient and contemporary environments of the planet. Malin Space Science Systems in San Diego, California, built Curiosity’s Mastcam and now manages it. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena is responsible for the construction of the rover. It also manages the project under NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, Washington. Video: Martian Blue Sunset
Curiosity’s Mast camera captured a spectacular Martian sunset under a blue sky
