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Navigational Cameras and Science Cameras |
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Written by Arinze Udenwa
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Tuesday, 01 February 2005 |
| Navigational Cameras |
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The Pancam Mast Assembly (PMA) - lays flat during
cruise |
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Pancams located at the top of the PMA, navcams
is located next to the Pancams (the two in yellow) |
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| Navigational cameras are pair of cameras that compliment the
hazard cameras by provide a different view of the terrain. Unlike the hazard
cameras that are located at the base of the rover, the navigational cameras
are located at the front part of the mast of the rover. Like the hazard
cameras they provide two black-and-white 2D stereo pictures that can be
modified and viewed as a 3D picture. Unlike the hazard cameras, the navigational
cameras provide a 90 degrees view of the landscape. The navigational cameras
are primarily used by controllers on the Earth to map out the regions they
want the rover to explore. |
| Science Cameras |
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The Pancam is used as the science cameras |
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Since the primary goal of any rover is to observe an unexplored region,
there will be need for the rover to take pictures that will aid scientists'
drive to understand a new planet or other heavenly bodies. A stereo pair
of coloured cameras is used as the science cameras. Each camera has a 16
degrees field of view, which combine together to give a view that is like
that of the human eye. A number of filters are employed to allow for multi-spectral
imaging which mimic the view human geologist will have if they were on the
planet in person. Use of solar filters allows the science cameras to be
used as a navigational aid. The cameras could be pointed at the sun with
the solar filters in place and then knowing the time of day, the heading
of the rover could be determined. |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 09 July 2005 )
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