2022-08-24
The Shadows of Mars – Stereoscopic Corner #9
Contributed by Mary Friargiu, under the advice of Brian May and Claudia Manzoni
As the Perseverance mission reaches its 500th Martian day or “Sol” on the surface of the Red Planet, here is a new contribution to the Stereoscopic Corner. This time, we focus on light and shadows on Mars. These stereoscopic pairs have been assembled from images taken when the Sun was relatively low in the Martian sky, when the shadows are most prominent. As usual, we present these views in parallel stereo (for stereoscopes), cross-eyed stereo (for naked eye viewing), anaglyphs (for red/blue glasses), and for reference we also show the monoscopic color view of each scene.
Sol 93, local mean solar time 07:10:43. A kind of self portrait of Perseverance on the surface of Mars. The rover casts its shadow on a small group of roundish rocks. The images were acquired in the early hours of the Martian morning.
Sol 113, local mean solar time 16:29:02. This sharp-edged rock was the subject of Stereoscopic Corner #5. This time we see it from a slightly different angle and its afternoon shadow is long and tapered.
Sol 211, local mean solar time 16:46:53. Another‘shadow-selfie’ of the upper part of Perseverance, where its unmistakable mast shape can be easily seen. The shadow is projected on a rocky surface.
Sol 285, local mean solar time 14:54:17. Jagged boulders cast their shadows over sandy surroundings. The magic of stereoscopy enables us to see that this spot stands on a small hill overlooking an expanse of rocks.
Sol 355, local mean solar time 15:54:49. A close view, shows us tapered shadows of these small rocks which are nearly twice the size of the rocks themselves.
Sol 420, local mean solar time 09:17:37. A large smooth rock casting a morning shadow on an unblemished stretch of Martian sand.
Enjoy!