Cumbrian Sky

... literally. The dust storm that has blown up close to the Meridiani Planum region where Opportunity is currently exploring Victoria Crater is now darkening the sky above the rover so much that scientists are getting seriously worried about the rover's health, and maybe even its survival. The darker the sky, the less sunlight falls on the solar panels... and the less sunlight falling on the solar panels, the less power the rover has to operate with. Eventually there might be so little power available to the rover that it just can't survive, and might shut down.

So, Mars enthusiasts, scientists and science reporters are all currently monitoring the dust storm and the darkness of the sky above Oppy very, very carefully. There's a lot of finger crossing going on. Oppy has survived a lot, from bouncing into a small crater "hole in one" style after its landing, to getting stuck in a dust dune. It would be ironic if something as simple as a dark sky killed her now...

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