Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Visible at the lower right are the protective shroud that covered the lander's soil collector head, ejected after the descent, along with one of the lander's dust covered footpads. Seen near the center are shallow trenches dug by the sampler arm . This dust, suspended in the thin carbon dioxide atmosphere , also filters the sunlight causing surface views to take on a reddish tinge. The Vikings made the first successful landings on Mars 20 years ago .
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