Connect with us

Business

Perseverance’s most outta-this-world images of 2021

Published

on

It’s been a big year for everyone, including the tenacious robot that’s been traversing the rocky hills and valleys of Mars, the Perseverance rover.

Perseverance successfully landed on the Red Planet in mid-February. Its initial mission: surveillance. It was Perseverance’s job to take pictures showing what Mars looks like up close and personal. Then, in May, it pivoted to scientist mode, and began conducting science experiments — a lot of hitting rocks with lasers! — to help us earthlings gain a better understanding of our close planetary neighbor.

Still, Perseverance continued to take photographs and send back its Martian dispatches to NASA. For the past 10 months, the public has been voting on a “picture of the week” from Perseverance’s photo dumps. NASA compiled the most-liked images into a cache of 44 snapshots.

Below are our favorites, including images of the Martian surface and of course, some Perseverance selfies. Enjoy.

Week 1's picture of the week was a moody black and white POV shot.

Week 1’s picture of the week was a moody black and white POV shot.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Week 4's pic of the week shows that the key to a good selfie is also getting that horizon line right.

Week 4’s pic of the week shows that the key to a good selfie is also getting that horizon line right.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Impressed with Perseverance's Week 6 photography skills! Capturing that depth with multiple layers of terrain when it's all a reddish-tan color  is no easy feat!

Impressed with Perseverance’s Week 6 photography skills! Capturing that depth with multiple layers of terrain when it’s all a reddish-tan color  is no easy feat!
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Has Perseverance been listening to Coldplay? Because the only way to describe Week 10 is to call it yellow.

Has Perseverance been listening to Coldplay? Because the only way to describe Week 10 is to call it yellow.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

And you thought your iPhone could take a macro shot! This extreme-close up of a martian rock from Week 15 is brought to you by Perseverance's "Super Cam."

And you thought your iPhone could take a macro shot! This extreme-close up of a martian rock from Week 15 is brought to you by Perseverance’s “Super Cam.”
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

This Martian rock from Week 16 looks like it's seen better days.

This Martian rock from Week 16 looks like it’s seen better days.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Arrakis ain't got nothin' on this most-liked photo of Mars from Week 33.

Arrakis ain’t got nothin’ on this most-liked photo of Mars from Week 33.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

OK.... On Mars, do rocks float?! Nah, that's just the photo from Week 36 playin tricks on ya.

OK…. On Mars, do rocks float?! Nah, that’s just the photo from Week 36 playin tricks on ya.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

On Week 39, Perseverance sent back high-quality intel of the perfect place to put a human butt.

On Week 39, Perseverance sent back high-quality intel of the perfect place to put a human butt.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

We’re looking forward to more other-worldly communiqués from Perseverance in 2022.

Continue Reading
Advertisement Find your dream job

Trending