 NASA/JPL/MSSS |
Imaging stars while a Mars-bound spacecraft is in its cruise phase
provides a good way to verify that a camera is in good focus, following
the rigors of the launch from Florida. It also allows measurement of
the camera's alignment relative to the other instruments on the
spacecraft.
On 14 December 2005, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) slewed
across the southern contellation Crux (popularly known as the
Southern Cross) and the Context Camera (CTX) took an image. With its
5.7° wide field, CTX was able to cover the entire grouping of
stars. Each line of the image was exposed for 22.9 milliseconds, and
the whole image took a little under 4 minutes to acquire.
The image shown here is a composite, with each star expanded by
a factor of 2, but positioned in its correct location. The image
has also been linearized and contrast-enhanced. The angle between
the star Acrux and the star Gacrux is about 6 degrees. The compact
star images indicate that CTX is in good focus and performing
well. Additional analysis of the precise star positions will be
used to ensure that maps of Mars made from CTX data will be
accurate.
Malin Space Science Systems built two cameras on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: the Context Camera (CTX) and the Mars Color Imager (MARCI). MSSS operates both cameras from its facilities in San Diego, California. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory operates the MRO spacecraft with its industrial partner, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, from facilities in Pasadena, California and Denver, Colorado. |
To MSSS Home Page