The Perseverance Mars rover has provided us with a glimpse of an intriguing sun region that’s not visible to Earth.
Perseverance’s Mastcam-Z camera system was used to capture images of the sun daily, revealing how much dust is present in the Martian atmosphere. SpaceWeather.com reported that a large sunspot was being captured as it moved across the solar system during the late evening and weekend.
SpaceWeather.com showcased the sunspot photos, stating that Mars is orbiting the far side of the earth and can detect any approaching sun spots over a week ahead. “This is just one week’s notice: A significant sunshot is imminent.”
The Perseverance rover captures a stunning video of the solar eclipse on Mars.
NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover took this image of several sunspots on August 17, 2023. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU)
The magnetic field of the sun is strongest in sunspots, which are located in areas that are relatively dark and cool.
The term “active regions” is used to describe patches that are frequently used as launch pads for solar flares and CMEs.
The study of sunspots is not limited to academic research due to the potential effects of solar flares and CMEs on Earth’s orbit, which can affect satellite navigation and power grids.
Perseverance’s primary focus is on detecting signs of life on Mars and gathering samples for the mission, which will be returned to Earth within the next decade under a joint NASA and European Space Agency mission campaign, with funding provided.
The perseverance is exploring the floor of Jezero Crater, a massive lake and river delta that existed billions of years ago. In February of this year, the car-sized rover and small Ingenuity helicopter arrived at the 28-mile-wide crater.
Initially designed to showcase technology, Ingenious has now moved beyond its initial purpose and is now serving as a scout for the Perseverance team. It also boasts 55 Red Planet flights in its history.