One Microscopic Imager (MI) located on the Instrument Deployment Device (IDD), at the end of the arm, that takes Hi Resolution detailed images of very small targets such as pebbles and soil. The mobility provided by the arm allows for the positioning of the MI for stereo imagery.
Two Front and Two Rear Hazard Avoidance Cameras (Hazcams) are mounted above the left and right, front and rear wheels. They have a field of view of approximately 120 degrees and provide stereo imagery of terrain 3x4 meters in front and behind the rover. The Hazcams work in tandem with onboard software to allow for autonomous avoidance of unexpected obstacles or situations.
Two Navigation Cameras (Navcam) are mounted on the Pancam head and have a 45-degree field of view and provide stereo imagery of terrain, primarily for navigation purposes. The ability of the pancam head to rotate provides for 360-degree panoramic capability.
Two Hi-Resolution CCD Panoramic Cameras (Pancams) with filter wheels provide color in the near and far infrared spectrums. The Pancams provide color stereo imagery for navigation of terrain as well as detailed imagery of geologically interesting rocks. Through its filters, scientific studies on the atmosphere can be conducted as well. The rover’s relative position can be determined by using the sun and a sundial located on the deck of each of the rovers. The sundial also has a color target for calibrating the Pancams CCDs. Examples of the filters are shown below.
Martian “True Color” is a topic of dispute among both scientists and enthusiasts alike. True Color is difficult to determine on Mars, as no one has ever been there to see it, the creators of the Pancam describe the difficulty in, “Revealing Mars' True Colors”.
For more information on the cameras and scientific instruments, visit the JPL or Athena site.
For technical data, search here.
