Overview

• 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.