Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
The Last Mars Panorama Sent by Opportunity Is So Beautiful We Could Cry
MIKE MCRAE 24 DEC 2019
Before its circuits ran cold in the shadow of a Martian dust storm, Opportunity took one long look at its surroundings and saved it for posterity.
The image represents a poignant conclusion to the rover's mission; a detailed panorama combining the most recent tracks of its marathon journey with a glimpse of the sands it would never touch.
Forget the science for a moment. Just look at it.
Opportunity wasn't intended to run as long as it did. A mere 90 days eventually stretched into 15 solid years of rolling over the Martian sands, pumping out snapshots like a tourist who's forgotten all about their retirement.
More:
https://www.sciencealert.com/this-was-the-last-mars-panorama-opportunity-sent-and-it-s-so-beautiful-we-could-cry
7 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
Religion flies you into buildings; Science flies you to planets!!
This is another freakin' planet, folks! Absolutely mind-boggling! We do live in amazing times! Thank you, Judi Lynn, for this and all your other science posts. You continually bring awe and wonder to our lives.
--- 
And thank you, Opportunity, for this priceless glimpse of a world other than our own!
