Explanation:
Where on Mars should you spend the winter?
As winter approached in the southern hemisphere of Mars last November, the
Opportunity rover had just this problem -- it needed a place to go.
The reduced amount of sunlight impacting
Opportunity's solar panels combined with the extra power needed to keep equipment warm could drain Opportunity's batteries.
Therefore
Opportunity
was instructed to climb onto the 15 degree incline of Greeley's Haven, shown as the
rocky slope ahead.
The incline increased power input as Opportunity's solar panels now have
greater exposure to sunlight, while also giving the rolling robot some interesting landscape to explore.
Visible in the distance, beyond Greeley Haven, lies expansive
Endeavour Crater, the ancient impact basin that Opportunity will continue exploring as the
Martian winter concludes in a few months, if it survives.
Polls: Vote for your favorite APODs of
last week
and
last year.
