MAHLI
MAHLI, or the Mars Hand Lens Imager, is a camera on NASA's Curiosity Rover designed to capture close-up, high-resolution images of the Martian surface. Here are some key details about MAHLI:
- Functionality: MAHLI serves as a microscopic imager, able to focus on objects from about 2.1 cm to infinity. It can take color images with resolutions up to 14.5 micrometers per pixel, providing detailed views of rock textures, mineral grains, and small features on the Martian terrain.
- Design: The camera uses an LED illumination system for lighting, which is crucial for imaging in the often dim light conditions on Mars. It also has a small arm to adjust its position for various angles and distances from the target.
- Scientific Goals: The primary objectives include studying the texture, grain size, and composition of Martian rocks and soil to understand the geological history and potential for past or present habitability on Mars.
- Operation: MAHLI can take images autonomously or with commands from Earth. It has the capability to focus on its own calibration target, which contains a color calibration chart and a metric bar for scale.
- Historical Context: Developed by the Malin Space Science Systems, MAHLI was part of the broader scientific payload of the Mars Science Laboratory mission, which aimed to explore the Gale Crater on Mars.
- Notable Discoveries: MAHLI has contributed to numerous discoveries, including detailed images of wind-blown sand grains, small pebbles, and bedrock structures, providing insights into Mars' environmental conditions over time.
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