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Santa Maria
The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity took this image of Santa Maria Crater on December 16, 2010. About the size of a football field, the crater is roughly 90 meters (295 feet) in diameter. For several weeks, the rover will image and examine the exposed rocks.
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's High Resolution Imager HiRISE captured this view of the crater on New Years Eve. Opportunity can be seen near the crater's rim.
MER image courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech & MRO image courtesy of NASA/JPL/University of Arizona |
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Voyager Milestone
Launched in 1977, the twin Voyager spacecraft were sent out to explore the outer planets. Still functioning, they return data daily as they continue their journey toward the edge of our solar system.
To reach interstellar space, the spacecraft must leave the heliosphere, the bubble around our solar system formed by charged particles from the Sun. The outer portion of the bubble is called the heliosheath.
In June 2010, Voyager 1 achieved a major milestone by crossing into the heliosheath. Scientists estimate the spacecraft will enter interstellar space in about four years.
Artist's concept courtesy of NASA/JPL |
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Mars Odyssey: Longest Orbiting Mars Spacecraft
On December 15, 2010, the Mars Odyssey spacecraft completed 3,340 days in orbit around Mars. It has surpassed the record set by its predecessor, Mars Global Surveyor, which observed the red planet from September 11, 1997 to November 2, 2006. Within a few months after entering orbit in October 2001, Odyssey made its most famous discovery - evidence of water-ice beneath the Martian surface. Extended mission phases allowed for the monitoring of seasonal changes, high-resolution mapping, and communication support for other Mars missions.
Taken by Mars Odyssey, the image provides a detailed view of Chasma Boreale, a long, flat-floored valley that cuts deep into Mars' north polar icecap. Winds blowing off the ice have pushed loose sand into dunes.
Artist concept courtesy of NASA and Mars image courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU |
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