Nasa’s Mars Perseverance snaps a selfie as a Martian dust devil blows by
South China Morning PostWednesday, May 21, 2025 at 11:59:35 PM
NASA's Perseverance rover on Mars managed to snap a striking selfie—but with a twist. As the rover was taking the photo, a dust devil (a mini tornado of swirling Martian dust) whipped through the frame in the background. The shot is actually a composite of 59 images stitched together, painstakingly captured over an hour by the rover's robotic arm camera.
What This Means: This isn’t just a cool space selfie—it’s a rare glimpse of active weather on Mars in action. Dust devils are common there, but catching one mid-spin in a rover photo is like winning the Martian lottery. It helps scientists study wind patterns and dust movement, which is key for understanding the planet’s climate and even planning future missions. Plus, it’s a reminder of how much raw, awe-inspiring science happens when a robot millions of miles away decides to snap a pic.
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