Two Worlds, One Sun
Two Worlds, One Sun,
is the legend emblazoned on the Spirit
rover's camera calibration target.
Resting on the rover's
rear deck,
it also doubles
as a sundial, allowing
students
to determine the solar time at Spirit's landing
site on Mars.
Examples of the
sundial
or Marsdial
are shown above where
the left image, captured near local noon, shows the effect of
the Sun high in the martian sky.
The right image from later in the afternoon with the
Sun lower in the sky, shows a long shadow cast by the Marsdial's
3.5 centimeter high central post.
Based on the computer generated grid overlay, students
determined the local time in the
central inset image to be
about 12:17 pm local solar time.
The face of the Marsdial was designed by astronomy artist
Jon Lomberg
in collaboration with other team members.
Did you know,
the Marsdial idea was a brainchild of
Bill
Nye, the Science Guy?
Now
you know ...