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As it got closer to the ground, it seemed really hard to get a sense of scale with that downward camera. It felt like the ground just kind of "appeared" right b
by spookthesunset 6y ago
As it got closer to the ground, it seemed really hard to get a sense of scale with that downward camera. It felt like the ground just kind of "appeared" right before the sky crane did its thing. How big are the rocks under it? It felt like they were either big (1+ meter) or just little pebbles. I really couldn't tell.
Either way, this is seriously the coolest video I think I've ever seen. I cannot wait for more.
- ckosidows 6y agoAgreed with both. I hope someone can eventually put an estimated 3D model of something familiar, like a person or a school bus or something, for scale in the image video. And this is one of the coolest videos I've ever seen. I had a huge smile watching all of it. I can't even fathom how elated the whole JPL team must have been as these videos came in.
- Trasmatta 6y agoAt about 2:57 the operator says the rover is about 20 meters off the surface, if that helps at all. I agree it got really hard to get a sense of the scale once the thrusters started blowing up dust.
- spookthesunset 6y agoI rewatched listening to all that and it helped but only in an abstract way. It's like there needs to be a penny in the shot or something to get a sense of scale.
- ro2nie 6y agoNo, not a penny. It needs a banana for scale
- HarHarVeryFunny 6y agoIn deep space the banana would be frozen rock solid and would likely shatter if dropped. So, it seems the sky crane lowers the rover, and the rover lowers the banana.
- jeffpeterson 6y agoHah, totally agree. I assume the thinner atmosphere causes the dust to behave as if our view is much closer to the ground than it actually is.
- spookthesunset 6y agoIt could also be the lens. The image feels a bit telephoto, not wide angle.
- soheil 6y agoYes, something about not having the right perspective from the camera makes it very hard to judge how close it is to the surface. I guess sometimes I get the same feeling when in an airplane landing and going over water, SFO is a good example.
- Stratoscope 6y agoThis is why the trickiest landing with a floatplane is when the air is still and the water is glassy smooth. You can't tell where the surface is as you descend! Have a little wind to make ripples in the water and your job as a pilot is much easier. https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2017/january/flight-training-magazine/technique-glassy-water-landings https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2017/january/fl... https://www.flytheshark.com/guide-to-seaplane-flying/takeoffs-and-landings/glassy-water-takeoff-landing/ https://www.flytheshark.com/guide-to-seaplane-flying/takeoff...
- jonnycomputer 6y agoYeah, geology often seems self-similar at many different scales. I also was completely surprised when it was suddenly so close to the ground.