Virtual Sojourner
Student Activity #1: Driving Blind

Team Description
Camera

Responsibility: operate classroom video equipment, interpret video data, and order additional panoramas from the Lander team.

Specialty: using mathematics (proportional relationships) to determine the scale of images seen on video.

Limitations: your team may not visit the site where the rover will perform its mission. Do your work in the classroom using a camera similar to the one used by the Lander team (or the same one if it can be shared).

Procedure:

• Learn the responsibilities of the other teams.
  
• Work with the Mapping team to determine the scale relationship of the camera.
  
• Create a sample rock-field for the Mapping team. Make a video tape of the site and give it to them.
  
• Develop a formula by which the distance of the rover from the camera can be determined by its size on the viewing screen. Confirm the formula with the Lander team.
  
• Agree on camera settings--zoom level, focus method (fixed or auto).
  
• Assist the Mapping team in making a full-scale model of the "landing site."
  
• Submit a (short) status report to the Publications team during the project.
  
• Work with the Mapping team and the Navigation team during mission go help guide the rover to its destination (which rock to visit).
  
• Report your observations to the Publications team at the conclusion of the mission. Outline the procedure you used to calibrate the camera, the formula your team developed, whether you think the mission was successful, how you contributed to the mission, and how your work related to the science experiment. Tell what you thought the experiment was, whether it was deployed properly, if you think the data is reliable, and if you think the Science team's conclusion is justified.
  
• Prepare a poster of your report to discuss and present to your classmates.

Hints:

• Keep it simple--read the camera's manual.
  
• Practice with pan, zoom, height, and angles so you can advise during mapping and navigation.
  
• Measure accurately and carefully when developing the scale for the camera-TV/video relationship.