Phoenix Mars Lander Extended Mission. Sol 90+ & R.I.P Sol 157.

[MeteorWayne]

Re: Phoenix Mars Lander Extended Mission. Sol 90+ & R.I.P Sol 15

Phoenix has been spotted, encased in the Polar Dry Ice pack by HiRISE on MRO:

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0911/04phoenix/

MRO's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, or HiRISE, camera captured images on July 30 and Aug. 22 before the orbiter's science activities were halted by a safe mode in late August.

The pictures show Phoenix covered in carbon dioxide frost just before the predicted peak in ice coverage in September.

Spring began Oct. 26 and the frost should begin retreating over the next few months.

Scientists will attempt to contact Phoenix early next year as sunlight returns to the plains, but the odds of regaining communications with the frozen lander are slim.

http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/mro/new ... 1104a.html

Image:

http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_014393_2485

 

[3488]

Re: Phoenix Mars Lander Extended Mission. Sol 90+ & R.I.P Sol 15

Thank you very much Wayne.

Clearly shows that Phoenix was NOT encased in CO2 ice, as had been expected. It appears as if there is a lag effect here. There was more CO2 ice in the second shot, despite the Sun being highrer & the days getting longer each Sol.

I hope that MRO HiRISE will look again very soon. Very interesting indeed.

Andrew Brown.

 

[3488]

Re: Phoenix Mars Lander Extended Mission. Sol 90+ & R.I.P Sol 15

Below a crop, sharpened view of the Mars Phoenix Lander parachute & backshell as seen from MRO HiRISE on Saturday 22nd August 2009. I have rotated it so North is at top, hense the labling being on its side. I have been able to sharpen this from the origianl. The parachute & backshell are not obvious, as it looks as though both are frosted over by CO2 ice.

Andrew Brown.

 

[3488]

Re: Phoenix Mars Lander Extended Mission. Sol 90+ & R.I.P Sol 15

Below a crop, sharpened view of the Mars Phoenix Lander, Lander herself as seen from MRO HiRISE on Saturday 22nd August 2009.

I have rotated it so North is at top, hense the labling being on its side. I have been able to sharpen this from the original. Whilst the parachute & backshell were not obvious, the lander is, & is not covered in CO2 frost, unlike the backshell & parachute.

The ground immedietely surrounding Mars Phoenix Lander however is frost covered.

Andrew Brown.