Phoenix surface mission

lucaspf · Jun 12, 2008

Andrew and Wayne you guys are great. I've been so busy with finals and writting up a research proposal that I can't keep abreast of developments. It's really impossible in the media to find such comprehensive coverage. I am very glad TEGA got a mouthful of dirt. Was it the vibrations or new technique that filled the oven?Andrew, yes I recently read a paper that outlines volcanism on Mars, and explosive eruptions are feasable, with large ash clouds, that I assume would probably find there way around the entire globe, especially from Mons etc. All the new images are tantalizing, but I have no time. Anybody found any features or morphologies I should check out? Keep up the good work guys and three cheers for Phoenix!  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

3488 · Jun 12, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Andrew and Wayne you guys are great. I've been so busy with finals and writting up a research proposal that I can't keep abreast of developments. It's really impossible in the media to find such comprehensive coverage. I am very glad TEGA got a mouthful of dirt. Was it the vibrations or new technique that filled the oven?Andrew, yes I recently read a paper that outlines volcanism on Mars, and explosive eruptions are feasable, with large ash clouds, that I assume would probably find there way around the entire globe, especially from Mons etc. All the new images are tantalizing, but I have no time. Anybody found any features or morphologies I should check out? Keep up the good work guys and three cheers for Phoenix!  Posted by lucaspf</DIV>Hi Lucas, I'm sure I speak for Wayne also. We are very, very happy & honoured to be able to keep this as up to date as we can.The number of posts here, as well as the interesting thoughts & comments on here is very encouraging & make our efforts seem very worthwhile.Regarding features & morphologies. I have already posted & linked to these further back, but as the number of posts on here is increasing rapidly, which is very good, that's what we like & quality posts too, I will consolodate them here.These may interest you?Sol 15 Azm 151.5 degrees. Large boulder (just below the horizon centre), had Phoenix landed on it, the mission would have ended in failure. There appears to be another on the horizon, above it. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/15/8/9f338efa-e2c2-4ad6-8847-b408d338f645.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Attempt @ cropping & enlarging said boulder(s). Possible impact ejecta from Heimdall Crater? <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/2/9/924f4b75-e421-45ec-b9d9-7549ca41a65c.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Horizon view centered at azimuth 7.7 degrees (7.7 deg east of Due North). Note about a quarter of the way along the horizon on the left, s a low rise. A Pingo perhaps?????? <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/13/1/2dd1c742-e5d5-4aef-b19b-2785ee2083b1.Medium.jpg" alt="" />WNW horizon with hills & what appears to be a small impact crater @ bottom centre. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/5/3/a5994620-eed5-4c5a-93e1-7c0f1783ca0e.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Jun 12, 2008

A few Sol 17 images that came on later.Sol 17 Alt -17 deg, Azm 255 degrees. Nice image of the western solar array against the martian surface. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/14/11/7ed6b10f-be62-4b4d-bbe1-867280dea709.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Sol 17. Alt -17 deg Azm 230.17 deg. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/12/e6ef076e-fce5-4396-9ce0-b62c3fb523c4.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Sol 17. Azm 230.3 degrees. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/12/0/ccd3b9d8-b277-4340-a0fc-58eb39e8144f.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Sol 17. Azm 241.5 degrees. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/0/13/d0dc847a-9aab-4e3a-9dda-ee70cbd2f39d.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Sol 17. Azm 244.35 degrees. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/15/6/cf395db2-da35-4bd6-b6c1-c52fbf6ec6f6.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Jun 12, 2008

Weather report for Sol 15. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/4/062c8c90-2ab8-4689-94a7-7e0fdc645380.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Getting warmer now: Sol 15 Max: -28 C / -18.4 F.Sol 15 Min: -78 C / -108.4. Pressure: 8.4 millibars.Wind: 14 KPH / 8.7 MPH from the South.Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

MeteorWayne · Jun 12, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Weather report for Sol 15.  Getting warmer now: Sol 15 Max: -28 C / -18.4 F.Sol 15 Min: -78 C / -108.4. Pressure: 8.4 millibars.Wind: 14 KPH / 8.7 MPH from the South.Andrew Brown.  Posted by 3488</DIV> -28C??? It's a heatwave!!!!(Considering how warm it's been here lately, a few minutes of -28C would feel REAL good!!) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

MeteorWayne · Jun 12, 2008

TUCSON, Ariz. -- NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander sprinkled a spoonful of Martian soil Wednesday onto the sample wheel of the spacecraft's robotic microscope station, images received early Thursday confirmed. "It looks like a light dusting and that's just what we wanted. The Robotic Arm team did a great job," said Michael Hecht of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. He is the lead scientist for the Microscopy, Electrochemistry and Conductivity Analyzer (MECA) instrument on Phoenix. The delivery of scooped-up soil for inspection by the lander's Optical Microscope, a component of MECA, marks the second success in consecutive days for getting samples delivered to laboratory instruments on Phoenix's deck. Some soil from an earlier scoopful reached a tiny oven in another instrument on Tuesday, as confirmed in data received early Wednesday. That instrument is the Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer, or TEGA. Commands being sent to Phoenix today include instructions to close TEGA oven number 4 and begin analyzing the sample inside, a process that will take several days. The soil now in the microscope station came from the same scoopful that was used for a practice run of the sprinkle delivery technique on Monday. That scoopful has the informal name "Mama Bear." The sample delivered to TEGA oven 4 has the informal name "Baby Bear." Both came from a trench now called "Goldilocks" but earlier referred to as Baby Bear, on the northwest side of the lander. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/news/phoenix-20080612.html <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

3488 · Jun 12, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>-28C??? It's a heatwave!!!!(Considering how warm it's been here lately, a few minutes of -28C would feel REAL good!!) Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV>Hi Wayne, as this rate it will be warmer than a British Summer in Scandia Colles!!!! <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/4/15/c4d1615c-38f9-4840-9f60-9ce5bdfd73c5.Medium.gif" alt="" /> I understand you're having a powerful heatwave in your neck of the woods? One report I,ve seen here was 41 C / 106 F in New York??????? It's a bit early isn't. We're not even at the longest day yet. Mind you, you have air conditioning, something not really needed here in the UK, certainly not since August 2003.But yes it is getting warmer at the Phoenix location. The weather there seems to be becoming more unstable. During the first few sols after landing, it appeared pretty steady, but the last few sols, it has yo yo'd a bit. I wonder if the approaching solstice on Mars is still causing the cap to shrink?It will be interesting to see if Phoenix records a warming lag after the solstice on Mars? Your warmest time is usually mid July, isn't it? Our's is in mid to late August (being an island, that is expected as the seas take a long time to warm up). I understand that there is a NASA TV Phoenix Media Conference for Sol 18 tomorrow? Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

MeteorWayne · Jun 12, 2008

So far, the next event is a live NASA TV News Conference at 3PM EDT tomorrow, (That's Noon PDT, 1700 UTC, 6PM CET???)To be honest I worry about EDT (my zone) and UTC (which anyone should be able to convert from).I mean not being able to conert from UTC would be as silly as a country manufacturing in their own country's units instead of the standard that the rest of the world used.....uhhh, Oh never mind  <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-yell.gif" border="0" alt="Yell" title="Yell" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

efron_24 · Jun 13, 2008

Good to see that with the thin atmosphere of Mars weather changes from day to day.. It is the same sun every day, so the changes in temperatures are changes in the atmosphere... I wonder if it will cross the minus 20 Celcius barrier. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

3488 · Jun 13, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Good to see that with the thin atmosphere of Mars weather changes from day to day.. It is the same sun every day, so the changes in temperatures are changes in the atmosphere... I wonder if it will cross the minus 20 Celcius barrier. Posted by efron_24</DIV>Hi Chris,I wonder, it may do, dependant on if there is a lag effect after the Solstice. We'll see. Somehow I'm doubtful that temperatures will rise much higher, we'll see.Hi all, http://www.photodump.com/Anonymous/Sweep from 122 deg to 168 deg Azm Phoenix.htmlInteresting sweep from about 122 deg to 168 deg Azimuth. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/0/5/30f825f5-ac00-4a94-952d-976eebd4113a.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Jun 13, 2008

Looks like some more bright material has been uncovered. Sol 18. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/4/11/847a68d7-70ca-465c-9b5f-1d8845b77c3b.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

Mee_n_Mac · Jun 13, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Looks like some more bright material has been uncovered. Sol 18.Andrew Brown. Posted by 3488</DIV> Can I assume (<img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-surprised.gif" border="0" alt="Surprised" title="Surprised" />) that the RA can go back to the same spot and dig deeper, in successive cuts to allow us to see if the bright material is mixed in with the soil or is a separate layer?  How deep can the RA dig assuming the soil is amenable to digging (not rock) ?  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> -----------------------------------------------------Ask not what your Forum Software can do do on you,Ask it to, please for the love of all that's Holy, STOP ! </div>

3488 · Jun 13, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Can I assume () that the RA can go back to the same spot and dig deeper, in successive cuts to allow us to see if the bright material is mixed in with the soil or is a separate layer?  How deep can the RA dig assuming the soil is amenable to digging (not rock) ?  Posted by Mee_n_Mac</DIV>Hi Mee_n_Mac.First I would like to answer another point you rose in relation to a comment I made earlier. I think it is a super idea in Phoenix's dying sols, when ever they are, to use the arm to drag Phoenix a few feet & examine in detail using the SSI to examine the patch of ground that had been underneath the lander. Only when all other goals are met & we are certain that the end is nigh, obviously in case Phoenix tips over on accident.I would suspect a software patch would be transmitted to Phoenix to terminate dragging if the tilt approaches a certain point. In fact, I will pass that suggestion on, thank you. Answer to your question just now. Most definately & I really hope so. The RA can dig approx half a metre or about 1.6 feet deep. I really hope than rather than start a new trench, make the current one deeper. As you say, even allowing for the tremendous strength of the arm & torque of the scoop, solid rock will not be diggable. Hard salts would be, ice would be, (caution would have to be exercised)  but not solid rock.Below a quick image I've just worked on.Pan from 228 degrees to 298 degrees Azimuth. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/1/14/a13d7032-d913-468b-9ef9-b04732d34a08.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

neuvik · Jun 13, 2008

That bright material is probably just the "polishing" effect the flat part of the bucket will have.  As the scoop digs in to the soil, the flat surface of the bucket will compress and smooth out the soil.   That "polished" surface has a sheen to it, which intensifies if their's the proper lighting...and water. Hopefully though it turns out to be some cool Hydric acid laiden material.   But I have a lot of time with excavation equipment, thought I'd put my two cents out. Has anything interesting been found in the Goldilocks and Dodo digs yet? Probably still taking a while to fully analyze the material.   Too exciting though, hah, I want answers now haha. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I don't think I'm alone when I say, "I hope more planets fall under the ruthless domination of Earth!"SDC Boards: Power by PLuck - Ph**king Luck </div>

bearack · Jun 13, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'> That bright material is probably just the "polishing" effect the flat part of the bucket will have.  As the scoop digs in to the soil, the flat surface of the bucket will compress and smooth out the soil.   That "polished" surface has a sheen to it, which intensifies if their's the proper lighting...and water. Hopefully though it turns out to be some cool Hydric acid laiden material.   But I have a lot of time with excavation equipment, thought I'd put my two cents out. Has anything interesting been found in the Goldilocks and Dodo digs yet? Probably still taking a while to fully analyze the material.   Too exciting though, hah, I want answers now haha. Posted by neuvik</DIV> But keep in mind, the polishing effect you mention is usually do to the material compacting with the help of moisture.  If we are getting the polishing effect, maybe it's due to moisture content of the soil???  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <img id="06322a8d-f18d-4ab1-8ea7-150275a4cb53" src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/14/06322a8d-f18d-4ab1-8ea7-150275a4cb53.Large.jpg" alt="blog post photo" /> </div>

centsworth_II · Jun 13, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>...solid rock will not be diggable. Hard salts would be, ice would be, (caution would have to be exercised)  but not solid rock. -- posted by 3488</DIV>At one of the early press briefings, Peter Smith said that Phoenix could not dig through pure ice, which at those temperatures would be as hard a solid rock.  I don't know if he was just being cautious, not wanting to get hopes too high for a guaranteed deep dig. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

MeteorWayne · Jun 13, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>At one of the early press briefings, Peter Smith said that Phoenix could not dig through pure ice, which at those temperatures would be as hard a solid rock.  I don't know if he was just being cautious, not wanting to get hopes too high for a guaranteed deep dig. Posted by centsworth_II</DIV> That's correct. That's why they have a rasp to shave ice off the surface and propel it into the scoop. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

MeteorWayne · Jun 13, 2008

Word is that today's Phoenix News Conference on NASA TV (in about 45 minute) has been moved to the Media Channel, with a replay on the public channel at 5PM EDT, 2100 UTC. Edited to correct public channel replay time <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

3488 · Jun 13, 2008

WOW, WOW, WOW.Looking North in colour.<img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/7/9/b718fb12-be30-4ce6-999b-377394a478de.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Looking SE in colour. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/15/3/5f7a5fe1-f9cc-4005-b316-932e7cec8c41.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Looking west in colour. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/5/10/c59730d7-83f5-499a-9a9c-2e2154b8ee22.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

MeteorWayne · Jun 13, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>WOW, WOW, WOW.Looking North in colour.Looking SE in colour. Looking west in colour.  Andrew Brown.  Posted by 3488</DIV> Fun news conference. Many more images to come, I'm sure Andrew's fingers are smokin' at the moment! First microscope images, focus not great from what I saw, but these were the first raw images, before adjusting focus. Some possible Olivine, clumpy at all scales, a few volcanic bits...  Scribblenotes will take a while as I am having to work around my jaw.... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

3488 · Jun 13, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Fun news conference. Many more images to come, I'm sure Andrew's fingers are smokin' at the moment! First microscope images, focus not great from what I saw, but these were the first raw images, before adjusting focus. Some possible Olivine, clumpy at all scales, a few volcanic bits...  Scribblenotes will take a while as I am having to work around my jaw.... Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV>You are correct Wayne, I am being busy right now, shortly I should be able to post some more nice stuff. I've just got this.MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION PASADENA, CALIF. 91109 TELEPHONE 818-354-5011 http://www.jpl.nasa.gov Guy Webster 818-354-6278 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. guy.webster@jpl.nasa.gov Dwayne Brown 202-358-1726 NASA Headquarters, Washington dwayne.c.brown@nasa.gov Sara Hammond  520-626-1974 University of Arizona, Tucson shammond@lpl.arizona.edu NEWS RELEASE: 2008-109                                           June 13, 2008   NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander Inspects Delivered Soil Samples TUCSON, Ariz. -- New observations from NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander provide the most magnified view ever seen of Martian soil,  showing particles clumping together even at the smallest visible scale. In the past two days, two instruments on the lander deck -- a microscope and a bake-and-sniff analyzer -- have begun inspecting soil samples delivered by the scoop on Phoenix's Robotic Arm. "This is the first time since the Viking missions three decades ago that a sample is being studied inside an instrument on Mars," said Phoenix Principal Investigator Peter Smith of the University of Arizona, Tucson. Stickiness of the soil at the Phoenix site has presented challenges for delivering samples, but also presents scientific opportunities. "Understanding the soil is a major goal of this mission and the soil is a bit different than we expected," Smith said. "There could be real discoveries to come as we analyze this soil with our various instruments. We have just the right instruments for the job." Images from Phoenix's Optical Microscope show nearly 1,000 separate soil particles, down to sizes smaller than one-tenth the diameter of a human hair. At least four distinct minerals are seen. "It's been more than 11 years since we had the idea to send a microscope to Mars and I'm absolutely gobsmacked that we're now looking at the soil of Mars at a resolution that has never been seen before," said Tom Pike of Imperial College London. He is a Phoenix co-investigator working on the lander's Microscopy, Electrochemistry and Conductivity Analyzer. The sample includes some larger, black, glassy particles as well as smaller reddish ones. "We may be looking at a history of the soil," said Pike. "It appears that original particles of volcanic glass have weathered down to smaller particles with higher concentration of iron." The fine particles in the soil sample closely resemble particles of airborne dust examined earlier by the microscope. Atmospheric dust at the Phoenix site has remained about the same day-to-day so far, said Phoenix co- investigator and atmospheric scientist Nilton Renno of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. "We've seen no major dust clouds at the landing site during the mission so far," Renno said. "That's not a surprise because we landed when dust activity is at a minimum. But we expect to see big dust storms at the end of the mission. Some of us will be very excited to see some of those dust storms reach the lander." Studying dust on Mars helps scientists understand atmospheric dust on Earth, which is important because dust is a significant factor in global climate change. "We've learned there is well-mixed dust in the Martian atmosphere, much more mixed than on Earth, and that's a surprise," Renno said. Rather than particles settling into dust layers, strong turbulence mixes them uniformly from the surface to a few kilometers above the surface. Scientists spoke at a news briefing today at the University of Arizona, where new color views of the spacecraft's surroundings were shown. "We are taking a high-quality, 360-degree look at all of Mars that we can see from our landing site in color and stereo," said Mark Lemmon, Surface Stereo Imager lead from Texas A&M University, College Station. "These images are important to provide the context of where the lander is on the surface. The panorama also allows us to look beyond our workspace to see how the polygon structures connect with the rest of the area. We can identify interesting things beyond our reach and then use the camera's filters to investigate their properties from afar." The Phoenix mission is led by Smith at the University of Arizona with project management at JPL and development partnership at Lockheed Martin, Denver. International contributions come from the Canadian Space Agency; the University of Neuchatel, Switzerland; the universities of Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark; Max Planck Institute, Germany; and the Finnish Meteorological Institute. For more about Phoenix, visit:  http://www.nasa.gov/phoenix  and http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu. -end-Andrew Brown.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

Mee_n_Mac · Jun 13, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>In fact, I will pass that suggestion on, thank you..Andrew Brown. Posted by 3488</DIV>Geesh man, don't put your scientific rep on the line for some 0.5-assed suggestion on my part. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" /> I do wonder about the multiple excavations though.  If would seem to be the equivalent of an anthropologist digging in layers (or back country skiers digging to examine the snow layers). Perhaps each scoop could be set aside, to be later re-scooped and fed into MECA or TEGA if deemed interesting enough. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> -----------------------------------------------------Ask not what your Forum Software can do do on you,Ask it to, please for the love of all that's Holy, STOP ! </div>

MeteorWayne · Jun 13, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Geesh man, don't put your scientific rep on the line for some 0.5-assed suggestion on my part.  I do wonder about the multiple excavations though.  If would seem to be the equivalent of an anthropologist digging in layers (or back country skiers digging to examine the snow layers). Perhaps each scoop could be set aside, to be later re-scooped and fed into MECA or TEGA if deemed interesting enough. Posted by Mee_n_Mac</DIV> I'm quite sure that is part of the plan. Remember, there are only 8 TEGA ovens, 4 Wet chemistry vessels, and a limited number of microscope substrates. Much of the science will be done by digging and imaging!! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

Mee_n_Mac · Jun 13, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I'm quite sure that is part of the plan. Remember, there are only 8 TEGA ovens, 4 Wet chemistry vessels, and a limited number of microscope substrates. Much of the science will be done by digging and imaging!! Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV> You're quite correct of course.  I doubt there's little I could add that hasn't been thought of by the PI.  But still the fun of it is to ponder and suggest and maybe, though a long chain of brainstorming, come up with a good question for the science crew to chew on.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> -----------------------------------------------------Ask not what your Forum Software can do do on you,Ask it to, please for the love of all that's Holy, STOP ! </div>

3488 · Jun 13, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Fun news conference. Many more images to come, I'm sure Andrew's fingers are smokin' at the moment! First microscope images, focus not great from what I saw, but these were the first raw images, before adjusting focus. Some possible Olivine, clumpy at all scales, a few volcanic bits...  Scribblenotes will take a while as I am having to work around my jaw.... Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /> Regarding volcanic particles. I am not surprised, in fact I was expecting it, another of my predictions is coming true (another already proven are the squarish rather than hexagonal polygons). Scandia Colles near enough is due north of Tharsis & Olympus Mons in particular. The central caldera of Olympus Mons is approx 50 degrees or 2,961 KM / 1,839 miles due south of Phoenix. A long way, I know, but it was mentioned in the Media conference that ash can be transported thousands of KM. When Olympus Mons was active, the ash from the plume already had a 22 KM altitude head start & a southerly wind, picking it the particles as they descended, would have travelled very far to the north indeed. So has Phoenix, actually observed fall out from the solar system's largest volcano?????? Microscope view of particles. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/5/56fd1c8b-f5eb-42bc-a5ee-fdfe5aa2d348.Medium.jpg" alt="" /> Dodo & Goldilocks trenches in colour.  <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/13/e6a4a917-03e7-45b8-9d00-3175b531db2b.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Also I have cropped out the same section, but in colour this time, of Due North, the martian North Pole being 1,303 KM / 809 miles north as the monochrome one on Wednesday or yesterday, can't remember now, getting stoooooooopid I am. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/13/3/ddc026fd-f735-499b-83b1-48511d222471.Medium.gif" alt="" /> 1,303 KM / 809 miles to the North Pole in colour. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/12/15/7c35d4e7-a745-4039-bf20-2304f3cd7fd6.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Weather for Sol 17. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/12/7/3c5d6190-f155-4caa-97a5-07649c9daf9b.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  Sol 17 max: -26 C / -15 F. Sunny. Sol 17 min: -82 C / -116 F. Sunny. Pressure: 8.35 millibars. Wind: 14 KPH / 8.7 MPH from south east. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

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