Astronomy Picture of the Day ·

Pathfinder on Mars

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for July 4, 2026 is “Pathfinder on Mars,” an image. It is credited to Image Credit: Mars Pathfinder , JPL , NASA. The original explanation runs about 147 words.

Pathfinder on Mars
Credit: Image Credit: Mars Pathfinder , JPL , NASA Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“On July 4th , 1997, using its own array of fireworks , a parachute, and a cocoon of airbags, the Mars Pathfinder spacecraft bounced like a giant beach ball at least 15 times before it came to rest on the surface of Mars at 10:07 AM Pacific Daylight Time.”

— APOD editors, July 4, 2026

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date
July 4, 2026
Type
Image
Credit
Credit: Image Credit: Mars Pathfinder , JPL , NASA
Copyright
No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length
About 147 words

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Topics in this entry

Mars

Topics are matched from words in the title and explanation.

On this day: July 4 in other years

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Source

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.