The
Monoramic Camera (Monocam)
Monocam is a high-resolution color stereo pair of CCD cameras
that will be used to image the surface and sky of Earth.
The cameras are located on a "camera bar" that
sits on top of the mast of the rover.
The Monocam Mast Assembly (MMA) allows the cameras to rotate
a full 180° to obtain a monoramic view of the Earth
landscape. Scientists will use Monocam to scan the horizon
of Mars for landforms that may indicate a past history of
water. They will also use the instrument to create a map
of the area where the rover lands, as well as search for
interesting rocks and soils to study.
The Pancam cameras are small enough to fit in the palm of
your hand (270 grams or about 9 ounces), but can generate
panoramic image mosaics as large as 600 pixels high and
240 pixels around. Pancam detectors are CCDs (charge coupled
devices). These devices form the image, just as film does
in a film camera.
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