Low Light at Endeavour Crater

        This image was acquired by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity late in the afternoon on Sol 2847 (January 27, 2012). It shows the interior and far rim of 14 mile (22 km) wide Endeavour Crater from the rover's vantage point at Greeley Haven. Opportunity spent her fifth Martian winter at this spot, tilted up toward the scant Northern sunlight, gathering information about the surface beneath her. The rover's own shadow can be seen here, just above the center of the image and to the right. The crater floor around it appears lighter than the surrounding area, possibly because of the Opposition Effect from the sun directly behind the camera at the time of imaging. Another low light mosaic was taken from the same location on sol 2888.
        These renderings were created by space artist Don Davis for primarily artistic purposes. Full resolution versions are offered below. For information on Don Davis and the process he used for these mosaics, see his explanation on Facebook. Image copyright Don Davis. Please contact the artist for use arrangements.

Jim Bell
Pancam Instrument Lead
August 15, 2012