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Birthday · September 30, 1997

Half Dome Rock on Mars

September 30, 1997

A birthday is what happens when cosmic time briefly puts down the scale of eons and pays attention to a single human year.

Half Dome Rock on Mars

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APOD published September 30, 1997. Full image credits are on the original APOD entry below. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.

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Half Dome Rock on Mars

Original APOD · September 30, 1997

Who ordered the Martian pizza? As Mars Pathfinder and its mobile robot Sojourner continue to explore Mars, new and interesting rocks are being discovered, even though the primary mission has been successfully completed. The rock pictured above has been dubbed "Half Dome" and was visited by Sojourner in late August. The shape and fine-scale textures of Half Dome are still being studied. As part of the extended mission, Sojourner has been sent on its longest journey yet - a 50 meter stroll around the Sagan Memorial Station.

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