Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is
featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2025 May 10
Yogi and Friends in 3D Image Credit:
,
,
Explanation:
from July 1997
shows a ramp from the Pathfinder lander, the Sojourner robot rover,
deflated landing airbags, a couch, Barnacle Bill and
in this 3D stereo view of the surface of Mars.
Barnacle Bill is the rock just left of the house cat-sized,
solar-paneled Sojourner.
Yogi is the big friendly-looking boulder at top right.
The "couch" is the angular rock shape visible near center
.
Look at the image with red/blue glasses (or just hold a piece of
clear red plastic over your left eye and blue or green over your right)
to get the dramatic 3D perspective.
The stereo view was recorded by the remarkable Imager for Mars
Pathfinder (IMP) camera.
The IMP had two optical paths for stereo imaging and ranging and was
equipped with an array of color filters for spectral analysis.
Operating as the first astronomical
, the IMP also
recorded images of the Sun and Deimos, the smallest of Mars' two
.
Tomorrow's picture: if you could stand on Venus ...
