NASA Sees Earth Vanish

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover has captured a rare and unique image sequence of Earth disappearing behind the Martian moon Phobos. The event, which occurred on the 1,907th Martian day of the mission, was observed using the rover's Mastcam-Z instrument at about 7 p.m. local solar time on July 2.

The image sequence shows Earth, approximately 195 million miles away, disappearing behind the crescent of Phobos, which is about 17 miles across at its widest. Phobos orbits Mars at a distance of approximately 4,850 miles and crosses the Martian sky three times a day.

The observation was planned and assembled by Mark Lemmon, a Mastcam-Z co-investigator at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado. Justin Maki, the Mastcam-Z deputy principal investigator and imaging scientist for Perseverance at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, described the composite image as a 'unique Earth self-portrait, taken from the surface of another planet, with a Phobos photobomb'.

## What makes this event special This is the first time humanity has captured an observation from the surface of another planet of Earth disappearing behind an object. The event is an occultation, which occurs when a larger-appearing body completely blocks the one behind it from the viewer's standpoint.

## Why it matters The capture of this rare event provides a unique perspective on our planet and its place in the solar system. It also highlights the capabilities of the Perseverance rover and its instruments, which are designed to explore the Martian surface and study the planet's geology and climate. The image sequence will likely be of great interest to scientists and the public alike, offering a new and fascinating view of our planet from a distant perspective.

The successful capture of this event is a testament to the planning and execution of the Perseverance mission team, who continue to explore the Martian surface and provide new insights into the planet's geology and climate.