Spirit pancam wear and tear

[Tom Ames]

I noticed in the latest pancam images that there is a bright pixel showing up in the same place in all pancam photos from Spirit's left pancam. There's another, different, bright pixel in the right pancam.

Is this possibly indicative of degradation of the imaging system?

[ToSeek]

The right one's been there at least since April 20.

[jumpjack]

I noticed in the latest pancam images that there is a bright pixel showing up in the same place in all pancam photos from Spirit's left pancam. There's another, different, bright pixel in the right pancam.

Is this possibly indicative of degradation of the imaging system?

I'm quite sure it is so! I can't find any other explanation: ower little rovers are getting old...

[Andromeda321]

Um, whereabouts is this pixel you guys are referring to? I can't seem to be able to find it... :-?

[ToSeek]

Um, whereabouts is this pixel you guys are referring to? I can't seem to be able to find it... :-?

I'm not sure about the left one but look in this right camera image for the bright spot in the upper-left-hand corner against the background of the hill. That's been in all the right-hand images (that don't already have white there) since at least April 20.

Edit: Looks like the left camera's pixel is in about the same vertical position but farther to the right.