A total of three images of a solar eclipse that occurred in Mars were captured by NASA’s Curiosity Rover using its Mast Camera or “Mastcam” with three seconds interval. These images are of the largest moon in Mars, Phobos, passing in front of the sun.
On August 17, the Curiosity rover paused just to record the said solar eclipse. The images taken by the Martian Rover were the very first full-resolution frames of a sequel that can be used in a movie of the eclipse.
Active Martian rover’s Curiosity and Opportunity are what aids scientists and researchers to further understand a number of things pertaining to the orbits of the moons of Mars.
In the said eclipse, Phobos was closer to the center of the sun than expected. With the use of these kinds of information, scientists will be able to polish the orbits of the moons of Mars accurately.
Mark Lemmon, a co-investigator for use of Curiosity’s MastCam told Redorbit that the pictures taken are the most detailed picture of any eclipse ever taken and it is very useful because it is annular.
Researchers from the Complutense University of Madrid told Redorbit last December that they have formulated a way to permit Curiosity to orbit around Mars with use of Martian eclipses. They were also able to utilize past observations of Curiosity in identifying the position of Curiosity on the Red Planet with only a few distance error. These most recent remark could probably aid them in making this method even much better in the next years.
Earlier this week, NASA had permitted Curiosity to be free for some time but it is furnished with autonomous navigation for the first time. This software enhancement will permit Curiosity to navigate across the Martian terrain independently, aiding it determine the safest route to get closer to Mount Sharp.
