Overview
This node integrates with NASA's public API to retrieve photos taken by Mars Rovers. Specifically, the "Mars Rover Photo" resource with the "Get" operation allows users to fetch images captured by a selected Mars Rover on a specified Earth date.
Common scenarios for this node include:
- Educational projects or presentations requiring authentic Mars surface imagery.
- Scientific data analysis involving rover photography.
- Space enthusiasts automating retrieval of daily or historical Mars rover photos.
For example, a user can configure the node to get photos taken by the Curiosity rover on July 4, 2020, to study the Martian terrain on that day.
Properties
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Rover Name | Choose which Mars Rover to get a photo from. Options: Curiosity, Opportunity, Perseverance, Spirit |
| Date | The Earth date for which to retrieve the Mars Rover photos. Must be a valid date. |
Output
The node outputs JSON data containing an array of photos taken by the specified Mars Rover on the given Earth date. Each photo object typically includes metadata such as the image URL, camera details, and the date the photo was taken.
If the API returns binary data (e.g., actual image files), it would be included in the binary output field; however, based on the static code, the node primarily returns JSON metadata about the photos.
Dependencies
- Requires an API key credential for NASA's API to authenticate requests.
- The node sends HTTP GET requests to NASA's API endpoint at
https://api.nasa.gov/mars-photos/api/v1/rovers/{roverName}/photos. - No additional external dependencies are indicated.
Troubleshooting
- No Photos Returned: If no photos are returned for a given date and rover, verify that the date is within the operational period of the selected rover and that photos exist for that date.
- Invalid Date Format: Ensure the date input is a valid date; the node converts it to ISO format internally.
- Authentication Errors: If the API key is missing or invalid, the node will fail to authenticate. Make sure a valid NASA API key credential is configured.
- API Rate Limits: NASA's API enforces rate limits; excessive requests may result in errors or throttling.