                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                 2024 June 5
   A red landscape filled with rocks is shown. A hilltop is visible in the
       distance. A shadow is visible on the landscape. Please see the
                 explanation for more detailed information.

                          Shadow of a Martian Robot
   Image Credit: NASA, JPL-Caltech, MSSS, ASU, NeV-T, Perseverance Rover;
           Processing & Copyright: Neville Thompson, Gigapan Zoom

   Explanation: What if you saw your shadow on Mars and it wasn't human?
   Then you might be the Perseverance rover exploring Mars. Perseverance
   has been examining the Red Planet since 2021, finding evidence of its
   complex history of volcanism and ancient flowing water, and sending
   breathtaking images across the inner Solar System. Pictured here in
   February of 2024, Perseverance looks opposite the Sun and across
   Neretva Vallis in Jezero Crater, with a local hill visible at the top
   of the frame. The distinctively non-human shadow of the car-sized rover
   is visible below center, superposed on scattered rocks. Perseverance,
   now working without its flying companion Ingenuity, continues to search
   Mars for signs of ancient life.

                     Tomorrow's picture: galaxy on edge
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
                  NASA Web Privacy, Accessibility, Notices;
                      A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC,
                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

