This crescent view of Earth's Moon in infrared wavelengths comes from a
camera test by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft on its way to
Mars. The mission's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera took
the image on Sept. 8, 2005, while at a distance of about 10 million
kilometers (6 million miles) from the Moon. The dark feature on the right
is Mare Crisium. From that distance, the Moon would appear as a star-like
point of light to the unaided eye. The test verified the camera's focusing
capability and provided an opportunity for calibration. The spacecraft's
Context Camera and Optical Navigation Camera also performed as expected
during the test.
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, launched on Aug. 12, 2005, is on course
to reach Mars on March 10, 2006. After gradually adjusting the shape of
its orbit for half a year, it will begin its primary science phase in
November 2006. From the mission's planned science orbit about 300
kilometers (186 miles) above the surface of Mars, the high resolution
camera will be able to discern features as small as one meter or yard
across.