Space Topics: Mars Exploration Rovers
The Year in Pictures: 2005
Spirit Sees Swarms of Dust Devils in Gusev Crater
August 9. Several dust devils are visible in this frame from a movie
captured on Spirit's sol 568. Dust
devils were observed frequently in Gusev as spring came to Spirit's landing
site. Amazing dust devil movies are available
on researcher
Mark Lemmon's website. The dust devils scour dust from the ground and deposit
it elsewhere, leaving behind dark-colored tracks visible from orbit (see
the next picture in this feature). Spirit's long lease on life is due in part to
the cleaning
action of high winds from the lofty positions to which it climbed
atop the Columbia hills; winds repeatedly swept the dust from its solar panels,
allowing them to capture more light.
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