Mars Color Imager

Each day, MARCI collects about 84 images and produces a global map with pixel resolutions of 1 to 10 km (0.62 to 6.21 mi).

Each camera has its own unique optics and identical focal plane assemblies, data acquisition system electronics, and power supplies.

Each camera consists of a stray light baffle and lens elements and filters which focus onto an electronically-shuttered CCD.

Consecutive images are taken each time the camera footprint advances one filter-width (about 20 pixels) in the downtrack direction.

The optical paths of both lens systems are combined by a prism and dichroic beamsplitter, giving an effective focal length of 4.3 mm.