Mars is a glowing crescent in new photos captured during flyby
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- NASA's Psyche spacecraft performed a strategic flyby of Mars on May 15, 2024, using the planet's gravity to gain a 1,000 mph speed boost and adjust its trajectory toward Asteroid 16 Psyche, located in the main asteroid belt.
- Psyche, launched in October 2023, aims to study the metallic asteroid believed to be the exposed core of an early planetary building block, potentially offering insights into the interiors of planets like Earth and Mars.
- During the flyby, Psyche came within 2,864 miles of Mars and activated its science instruments to capture thousands of images, providing rare views of Mars as an illuminated crescent and showcasing both daytime and nighttime regions.
- The Mars flyby also served as a crucial calibration exercise for Psyche’s cameras and instruments, ensuring optimal performance before the spacecraft's arrival at the asteroid in summer 2029.
- Upon reaching Psyche in 2029, the spacecraft will enter orbit around the asteroid to conduct detailed mapping and analysis, which could reveal unprecedented information about planetary cores and formation processes.