NASA's Perseverance Captures 'Googly Eye' Eclipse on Mars

The rover filmed the Martian moon Phobos creating a unique solar eclipse, offering new insights into its orbit.

NASA's Perseverance rover recorded a solar eclipse on Mars, where the moon Phobos created a 'googly eye' effect by passing in front of the Sun.
The event, lasting about 30 seconds, was captured on September 30, 2024, by the rover's Mastcam-Z camera in Jezero Crater.
Phobos, a small, potato-shaped moon, orbits Mars rapidly, completing a full loop every 7.6 hours and frequently transits the Sun.
The eclipse provides valuable data for scientists to refine their understanding of Phobos' orbit, which is gradually bringing it closer to Mars.
Perseverance continues its mission to search for signs of ancient life on Mars, while contributing to our knowledge of its moons.