Mastcam-Z

Mastcam-Z is a special camera used by NASA's Perseverance rover. This camera can take pictures in many different colors and in 3D, helping scientists see details on the Martian surface.

The main person in charge of Mastcam-Z is Jim Bell from Arizona State University. The camera was made by a company called Malin Space Science Systems, located in San Diego, California.

Mastcam-Z helps scientists learn more about Mars by taking clear and detailed pictures from the rover’s “head,” or mast. These pictures show colors and shapes that can tell us about the rocks, soil, and other features on the planet.

Objectives

Mastcam-Z has three main science goals. It aims to study the landscape, understand how it was shaped, and look at the rocks and soil in detail. It also checks the weather and sky conditions on Mars. Lastly, it helps the rover move and choose which samples to collect.

The mission has four big goals too. It wants to explore areas on Mars that might have once supported life, study the rocks there, gather samples to bring back to Earth someday, and help plan for future human trips to Mars.

Design and capabilities

Mastcam-Z has two zoom cameras on the tall part of the Perseverance rover. These cameras can change their view, similar to a zoom lens on a regular camera. They can capture images in normal colors and special colors that help scientists study the Martian surface.

The team working on Mastcam-Z includes around 100 people, such as scientists and engineers, who have helped develop and build the instrument since 2014.

Calibration targets

The Perseverance rover carries two special color swatches to help it take accurate pictures of the Martian surface. Mastcam-Z uses these swatches to make sure the colors in its images are just right.

The main swatch, called the "caltarget," has gray and colored ceramic references with known colors, magnets to keep dust away, and a shadow-post (Gnomon). Small pictures between each color disk show parts of our Solar System, the development of life on Earth, human figures, and a space rocket design. These pictures were made by the Mastcam-Z team and The Planetary Society, and NASA approved them. The base of the swatch has the message "TWO WORLDS, ONE BEGINNING" along with a note in several languages wishing future explorers safety and joy in discovery. There is also a second color swatch nearby, placed upright to avoid dust and to help compare with the main swatch.

Education and public outreach

The Mastcam-Z team worked with the Planetary Society in Pasadena, California to help teach people about their work. All pictures taken by Mastcam-Z will be shared online very quickly after they are received on Earth.