Mars Dust Storm of 2018: How It Grew & What It Means for the Opportunity Rover [bestandroiddoubledinheadunit950.blogspot.com]

Mars Dust Storm of 2018: How It Grew & What It Means for the Opportunity Rover [bestandroiddoubledinheadunit950.blogspot.com]

As the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter tracked the dust storm from orbit, Opportunity was busy studying the terrain of its current science spot, a region called “Perseverance Valley” on the plains of Mars’ Meridiani Planum. (This photo shows a “selfie” by Opportunity from earlier in the mission.)

When Opportunity scientists got word of the impending dust storm, they took action quickly. The rover stopped all science work to conserve power as the dust storm blocked out the vital sunlight needed for the rover’s solar arrays. Opportunity would have to ride out the storm in a low-power mode.

A note here on Opportunity: The rover is no spring chicken. It landed on Mars just after its twin Spirit in January 2004 and 15 years old (it launched in 2003). Opportunity and Spirit were only expected to last 90 days on Mars. Spirit died of the Martian cold in 2010. Opportunity is well beyond day 5,000.

NEXT: The Days Get Darker

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https://www.space.com/40888-mars-dust-storm-2018-and-opportunity-rover-images.html Mars Dust Storm of 2018: How It Grew & What It Means for the Opportunity Rover

[bestandroiddoubledinheadunit950.blogspot.com]Mars Dust Storm of 2018: How It Grew & What It Means for the Opportunity Rover