Just a sunset on Mars

[watermelony2k]

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/117989main_image_feature_347_ys_full.jpg

 

[RoJoHen]

Oooooh. Neat.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

That is some wicked scattering going on there.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

The image has been linkified due to hotlinking. Also, some commentary from the OP would be nice, or this thread won't have much of a lifespan.

 

[watermelony2k]

Sunset on Mars

On May 19, 2005, NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit captured this stunning view as the Sun sank below the rim of Gusev crater on Mars. This Panoramic Camera mosaic was taken around 6:07 in the evening of the rover's 489th Martian day, or sol.

Sunset and twilight images are occasionally acquired by the science team to determine how high into the atmosphere the Martian dust extends, and to look for dust or ice clouds. Other images have shown that the twilight glow remains visible, but increasingly fainter, for up to two hours before sunrise or after sunset. The long Martian twilight (compared to Earth's) is caused by sunlight scattered around to the night side of the planet by abundant high altitude dust. Similar long twilights or extra-colorful sunrises and sunsets sometimes occur on Earth when tiny dust grains that are erupted from powerful volcanoes scatter light high in the atmosphere.

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_347.html

I look forward to the next Mars rover to be launched (later this year I believe?).

 

[Argus Skyhawk]

This Panoramic Camera mosaic was taken around 6:07 in the evening ...

6:07 Martian time? Does anyone know if NASA set clocks to the length of the Martian day?

I love the picture. It helps me get a feel for the fact that Mars is a real world and not just an object to read about or a red dot in the night sky.

 

[David cgc]

This Panoramic Camera mosaic was taken around 6:07 in the evening ...

6:07 Martian time? Does anyone know if NASA set clocks to the length of the Martian day?

They sure do. I assume it's local time in the article.

 

[Neroon]

Is that the Ghost Light?

 

[ThankQ]

I love the picture. It helps me get a feel for the fact that Mars is a real world and not just an object to read about or a red dot in the night sky.

Welcome to the universe. It ain't all about us.