NASA’s InSight spacecraft has taken its first selfie on the planet of Mars. The lander used its robotic arm to take 11 images that are combined together to make up the photo.
According to NASA, the same imaging process is used on the Curiosity rover mission. The photo shows InSight’s solar panel, science instruments and its entire deck.
Image courtesy of NASA.
Along with the selfie, a first look at InSight’s “workspace” has been shown to Mission team members, which is comprised of a 17 x 7 foot space of terrain in front of the lander that was captured in 52 individual photos.
“The near-absence of rocks, hills and holes means it’ll be extremely safe for our instruments,” InSight’s Principal Investigator, Bruce Banerdt, of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said. “This might seem like a pretty plain piece of ground if it weren’t on Mars, but we’re glad to see that.”
The landing team specifically chose a region on the planet that is “rock-free” called Elysium Planitia.
InSight sits on an area of the land called a “hollow,” which is a depression that was created by the impact of a meteor, and at some point filled up with sand.
For more NASA’s InSight, read about its successful landing on Mars after a seven-month trek through the solar system, and the big topic of liquid water being found on the planet, resulting in further steps that Mars could be habitable for human life.
Jessie Wade is a news writer for IGN and she almost went to school for Astronomy. Chat with her on Twitter @jessieannwade about all things space.