NASA’s Perseverance rover recently captured a stunning photo of Mars’ moon Deimos just before sunrise on the Red Planet. The smaller moon, which is less than 1/500th the size of Mars, appears more like a star than a celestial body due to its tiny size, measuring only 7.8 miles (12.6 kilometers) across.
The Perseverance rover was in the process of moving towards “Witch Hazel Hill” when it snapped this breathtaking vista, which is actually the result of 16 individual shots assembled into one photo. The image took a total exposure time of about 52 seconds, resulting in a hazy effect due to low light and digital noise.
Notably, Deimos completes one orbit around Mars every 30 hours and 17 minutes, at an average distance of 14,576 miles (23,458 kilometers) from the Martian surface. This unique view offers a glimpse into the vastness of the Red Planet’s surroundings.
The Perseverance rover has made several notable discoveries since its landing on Mars in 2021, including capturing stunning images and data that shed light on the planet’s geology and atmospheric conditions.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/mars-rovers/perseverance-watches-moonrise-on-mars-space-photo-of-the-day-for-may-16-2025