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After a six-month journey of more than 30 million miles, the NASA InSight lander has just landed on the surface of Mars to begin its mission of studying the deep interior of the red planet. InSight also captured and sent back this first clean shot of the ground, a 1 megapixel selfie.
The photo was taken by InSight's Instrument Deployment Camera (IDC), which is on the robotic arm of the LG. In the background is Elysium Planitia, a large plain at the equator of the planet.
Aaah … enjoy the sun with my solar panels. ? After a long flight, and exciting #MarsLandingI feel good about stretching myself and recharging my batteries. (Literally.) That's just what I'll need to really start listening to #March. https://t.co/yse3VEst3G pic.twitter.com/LpsiI0KNNz
– NASAInSight (@NASAInSight) November 27, 2018
There is a quiet beauty here. Looking forward to exploring my new home. #MarsLanding pic.twitter.com/mfClzsfJJr
– NASAInSight (@NASAInSight) November 27, 2018
Premier InSight not clear The Mars photo shows speckled dust on the transparent dust cover covering the camera.
My first picture on #March! My lens cover is not out yet, but I only had to show you a first look at my new home. More status updates: https: //t.co/tYcLE3tkkS #MarsLanding pic.twitter.com/G15bJjMYxa
– NASAInSight (@NASAInSight) November 26, 2018
After taking the picture, InSight forwarded it to NASA's Odyssey satellite currently in orbit around Mars. The satellite then transmitted the image to scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
In the coming days, InSight's robotic arm camera will be used to photograph the ground to help scientists decide where to place the LG's scientific instruments for its two-year mission.
Image credits: NASA / JPL-Caltech photographs
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