NASA’s Perseverance rover captures panoramic view of Mars crater

I’m taking it all in. This is the first 360º view of my home using Mastcam-Z. This dual, high-definition camera system sits atop my mast and has zoom capability. Inspect tiny details of Jezero Crater with the special interactive viewer at https://t.co/roDhWK56gj #CountdownToMars pic.twitter.com/TAy28PpG73

— NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) February 24, 2021

There are a total of 23 cameras on the Mars rover. Out of them, the Mastcam-Z cam is equipped with a zoom function that lets it focus and take HD video alongside panoramic colour and 3D images. It is mounted at six feet six inches and 9.5 inches apart from each other enabling stereo vision.

These images will help scientists study the geological history and atmospheric conditions of the 45km wide crater on the Red planet. It will help them pay close attention to certain rocks and sediments using instruments onboard. Later, the analysis will help them decide which rock samples to collect and bring back to Earth.

“We’re nestled right in a sweet spot, where you can see different features similar in many ways to features found by Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity at their landing sites,” Jim Bell of Arizona State University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration, the instrument’s principal investigator said.

However, this is not the first panoramic image captured by the rover’s cameras. On February 20, Perseverance’s navigation cameras captured a 360 degree-view as well. The NavCams are also located on the mast or head of the rover.