Files used to create panorama: 10-012_10.41.44_VMC_Img_No_2.raw, 10-012_10.46.08_VMC_Img_No_8.raw, 10-012_10.51.16_VMC_Img_No_15.raw, 10-012_10.54.56_VMC_Img_No_20.raw, 10-012_11.00.03_VMC_Img_No_27.raw, 10-012_11.03.44_VMC_Img_No_32.raw. I downloaded the original raw files from the ESA website and unpacked them to rgb.PNG files using vmc2rgb.exe (courtesy of Gordon Ugarkovic) combined with vmc_flat.raw for flat-fielding. The files were then processed using Adobe Photoshop CS4: I adjusted levels including red green and blue output to bring out the colour. Next curves and smart sharpening were applied to each file. The remaining unwanted artifacts were removed using the clone stamp tool and the healing brush. Finally, the mosaic was created using Photomerge. Image Credit: Errol Bruce/ESA

Image Credit: Errol Bruce/ESA

 

First-time contributor Errol Bruce of Lakeside, California, has sent us this fantastic mosaic based on VMC observations of 12 January. It shows a beautiful view of a stripe across Mars as Mars Express flew away from the planet, pointing VMC and snapping pictures as it went. The images show this flight, starting at an altitude of 1800 km on the right of the image and hurtling away from the planet until the last picture (on the left of the image) was taken at an altitude of nearly 4500 km. To give you a feeling of speed, the time for this whole journey was only 30 minutes!

In Errol's mosaic, you can see the first images on the right of the panorama, which cover a smaller area but have more surface detail, as the spacecraft was close to the planet. Then, as it ascends, you see the area of each image get larger and larger, with a corresponding drop in the resolution of the details on the surface. It's a really nice illustration of the journey made by Mars Express on every orbit, which lasts a little under 7 hours and takes the spacecraft from an altitude of over 10 000 km down to a closest approach of around 350 km altitude.

On top of this, Errol has managed to bring out beautiful colours and fantastic detail. To learn how he did it, hit "Full story" for more details - a great submission, thanks Errol! -- Thomas

Errol wrote this to us about how he created this wonderful image:

I used the following files to create the panorama:

10-012_10.41.44_VMC_Img_No_2.raw
10-012_10.46.08_VMC_Img_No_8.raw
10-012_10.51.16_VMC_Img_No_15.raw
10-012_10.54.56_VMC_Img_No_20.raw
10-012_11.00.03_VMC_Img_No_27.raw
10-012_11.03.44_VMC_Img_No_32.raw

I downloaded the original raw files from the ESA website and unpacked them to rgb PNG files using vmc2rgb.exe, courtesy of Gordan Ugarkovic, combined with his vmc_flat.raw flat-field of the VMC.

The files were processed using Adobe Photoshop CS4; I applied the following to each:

  1. I adjusted levels including red, green and blue output to bring out the colour.
  2. Next curves and smart sharpening were applied to each file.
  3. The remaining unwanted artifacts were removed using the clone stamp tool and the healing brush.

Finally, the mosaic was created using Photomerge.

Great work Errol! And if you want to join in and submit your own work from the Mars Express VMC camera, just head over to the "Help us with VMC" page for more details.

For more information on Gordan Ugarkovic's brilliant vmc2rgb.exe software, take a look at the VMC thread on the umannedspaceflight.com forum.