NASA's Curiosity rover cameras capture 12-hour 'Martian day' from dawn to dusk

NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has demonstrated an unexpected skill while inactive on the Red Planet – it serves as a sundial. Curiosity's cameras captured a 12-hour 'Martian day' from dawn to dusk in November, revealing the rover's shadow moving across the Martian surface. The footage was shared by NASA in late December, showcasing the rover's unique perspective during its downtime. The video illustrates a 12-hour sequence where Curiosity remained parked, allowing viewers to witness the changing position of its shadow on Mars. NASA explained that the recording coincided with a solar conjunction, occurring biennially when Earth and Mars are on opposite sides of the Sun. The unexpected sundial function adds to Curiosity's versatility, highlighting its ability to provide unique insights even when not actively conducting scientific experiments.

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