THE vivid reds and pinks of Mars provide vital clues about the planet’s mineral composition. Unfortunately these colours are becoming increasing difficult to pick out in the pictures being sent back by the rovers Spirit and Opportunity. But a clever redesign of a crucial component should mean that colours in the pictures sent back by the next Mars lander should stay true for far longer.
The troublesome piece of equipment is a saucer-sized disc covered in patches of brightly coloured polymer that sits near the panoramic camera on the two rovers. By regularly taking photographs of this “calibration target” and…
