Next Mars 2020 rover will observe the red planet with 23 eyes

Science

The Mars 2020 rover are able to show us more of the Red Planet than any of its predecessors ever did. NASA says the extraterrestrial vehicle are equipped with twenty three cameras, six over Curiosity’s and all lots more capable. Seven of those “eyes” are tasked with collecting data for scientific experiments, 9 are engineering cameras that that will keep an eye on its surroundings for navigation and therefore the last seven will capture the rover’s descent and landing. Its main camera, however, is Mastcam-Z — an upgraded version of Curiosity’s Mastcam with a 3:1 zoom (hence, “Z”) lens the original did not have.

 

This image shows one of the enhanced engineering cameras with a prototype lens for the Hazcams, which will watch for obstacles encountered by NASA’s Mars 2020 rover. This image shows one of the enhanced engineering cameras with a prototype lens for the Hazcams, which will watch for obstacles encountered by NASA’s Mars 2020 rover.

Mastcam-Z will have the capability to take more 3D pictures than the 1st Mastcam and will provide nasa scientists more information on the planet’s geologic features. Meanwhile, the engineering/navigation cameras are able to capture high-resolution, 20-megapixel coloured pictures for the 1st time. Previous Navcams were only able to take one-megapixel black-and-white photos, in order that they need to capture many and sew them along to be ready to get a clear view of the surroundings. Since these new cameras have a wider field of view as well, they do not need to waste time and processing power stitching photos together. The rover will spend that time collecting more samples and snapping more footage instead.

 

This image shows a 3-D printed model of Mastcam-Z, one of the science cameras on NASA’s Mars 2020 rover. Mastcam-Z will include a 3:1 zoom lens.

All those cameras can facilitate the Mars 2020 rover succeed its goal to look for signs of past life on the superior planet. Earlier this year, the agency picked 3 potential sites to drill, all of that have components that might have supported life.

 

 

 

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source:engadget.com

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