Who Takes Photos on Mars? Behind the Scenes of Photographing the Red Planet | Release #49

Days on Mars are measured in units called Sols. While a day on Earth is 24 hours, a sol on Mars is about 24 hours and 39 minutes, approximately 40 minutes longer than an Earth day. Additionally, a year on Mars is 687 days, nearly twice as long as on Earth. Since landing on Mars in August 2012, 4000 sols have passed, which translates to about 11 years on Earth. NASA uploads photos dated in sols like a photo diary, documenting events during exploration, so be sure to check them out.

Photos taken by the Mars rover involve more than just pressing a shutter. A team of engineers and scientists known as the Payload Uplink Lead (PUL) operates the rover's cameras through commands from Earth. Although Mars photos may seem automatically taken, in reality, 'photographers' on Earth meticulously plan them. For instance, Elaina McCartney, formerly of Cornell University, is one of the most prolific photographers of Mars as a PUL. To take a single photo, commands must be written, verified, ensured for safety and purpose, and executed with their approval.

The work of PULs is akin to teamwork in a photo studio on Earth, but this studio is far away on Mars. The expertise of these professionals, who rely on hypotheses and imagination to shoot without being on-site, is truly admirable.

Of course, since humans are responsible for taking the photos, aesthetic perspectives such as lighting and composition are naturally reflected in the images. What do Mars sunsets or celestial photos with scientists' aesthetic perspectives look like? Viewing Mars photos from this perspective can be deeply thought-provoking.

Beyond scientific investigation, photos from the Mars rover also capture and convey the beauty of a distant planet to Earth. Human curiosity may sprout from the pursuit of beauty, leading to the advancement of science and technology guided by its brilliance.

Behind the photos of Mars, there is a dedicated team of scientists and engineers whose efforts allow us to gain unprecedented visions. When viewing space photos, remember the complex work and passion behind them. It will add depth to the context of each photo.