NASA's Perseverance Captures Unique Phobos Solar Eclipse on Mars

The rover documented the Martian moon Phobos creating a brief 'googly eye' effect as it passed in front of the Sun.

The Perseverance rover recorded the Martian moon Phobos crossing the Sun on September 30, 2024, using its Mastcam-Z camera.
Phobos, one of Mars' two moons, is much smaller and irregularly shaped compared to Earth's Moon, causing a partial solar eclipse instead of a total one.
This event, lasting about 36 seconds, resulted in Phobos appearing as a large black disk moving across the Sun's face.
Previous NASA missions, including Curiosity and Opportunity, have also captured similar transits of Phobos.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency plans a mission to Phobos in 2026 to collect samples, potentially returning material from Mars to Earth by 2031.