NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit captured a breathtaking view of the sun setting over Gusev Crater on Mars 20 years ago, specifically on May 19, 2005. This image continues to resonate, offering a glimpse into the alien yet beautiful landscape of the red planet. In 2025, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of this iconic image.
The image reveals a bluish glow in the sky directly above the sun. This phenomenon, caused by the way dust particles in the Martian atmosphere scatter light, would be visible to the human eye on Mars. The panoramic camera's infrared imaging capabilities enhance the redness of the sky further from the sunset, creating a visually striking contrast.
The Spirit rover, part of the Mars Exploration Rover mission, landed on Mars in 2004. Although its primary mission was planned for 90 sols (Martian days), Spirit continued to explore and send back valuable data until 2010. This image serves as a reminder of the Spirit rover's invaluable contributions to our understanding of Mars, showcasing the beauty and unique atmospheric conditions of the red planet.