The Perseverance rover on Mars caught sight of a strange “googly eye” during a recent solar eclipse. As one of Mars’ moons, Phobos, passed in front of the sun, it created a shadow on the sun’s surface and on the Martian terrain. The rover recorded a video of the partial eclipse on September 30, lasting about 30 seconds due to Phobos being much smaller than Earth’s moon.
This observation adds to a series of images captured by previous Mars rovers, like Curiosity in 2019 and Opportunity in 2004. Each image helps astronomers understand Phobos’ orbit and its eventual fate of crashing into Mars or forming a ring around the planet.
Phobos orbits Mars every 7.6 hours and is slowly moving closer to the planet. This moon, discovered in 1877, may have been an asteroid captured by Mars’ gravity or debris from a collision. The Japanese mission MMX aims to solve these mysteries by studying Phobos and Deimos.
Meanwhile, Perseverance continues its ascent up the steep crater wall, navigating through loose dust and sand. The rover’s engineering team has experimented with different driving techniques to conquer the challenging terrain. It is expected to reach the crater rim by December and explore Witch Hazel Hill for potential rock samples.
The rover recently shared a mosaic of images from its journey on Mars, showcasing key moments like its landing site and the Ingenuity helicopter’s final resting place. Once it reaches Witch Hazel Hill, scientists hope to find evidence of past microbial life in the rocks. This mission could provide valuable insights into Mars’ history and potential for life billions of years ago.
As Perseverance continues its exploration, researchers eagerly await the discoveries that lie ahead on the red planet. Stay updated with the latest news by subscribing to our newsletter for exclusive updates delivered straight to your inbox.
