Phoenix Mars Lander Takes a Look Around [Slide Show]
Images from Mars's newest inhabitant document its quest for water
Phoenix Mars Lander Takes a Look Around [Slide Show]
- VERTICAL HORIZON: This approximate-color view of the terrain northwest of Phoenix Mars Lander, obtained by the craft's Surface Stereo Imager (SSI), shows polygonal cracking thought to represent seasonal thawing and freezing of subsurface ice. NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona/Texas A&M University
- PHOENIX "WORKSPACE": This terrain model showing the workspace, or area accessible by, Phoenix's Robotic Arm has been color coded by depth (red = low; blue = high) with a model of the lander for context. Color-coding was derived from the depth perception feature on the craft's Surface Stereo Imager (SSI). NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona/Texas A&M University/NASA Ames
- FISH-EYE VIEW: This mosaic, forming a 360-degree polar projection of the terrain surrounding the Phoenix Mars Lander, was generated from images collected by the probe's Surface Stereo Imager (SSI) instrument during the first three days of the mission. (Note the changing daylight.) Clockwise from 12 o'clock (due north) are a pair of solar collectors (4 and 8 o'clock) and a mast sporting three temperature sensors (7:30 o'clock). [Updated 5/30] NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona/Texas A&M University
- MARS TIME CAPSULE: An American flag and a mini-DVD on the deck of Phoenix Mars Lander. The mini-DVD from the Planetary Society contains a message to future Martian explorers, science fiction stories and art inspired by the Red Planet as well as the names of more than a quarter-million earthlings. No social security numbers, we hope. NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
- MARTIAN COLOR WHEEL: Three color targets—similar to what you might use in selecting a paint color for your walls—used to add hues to images [bottom] sent back by the Surface Stereo Imager (SSI) aboard NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander. Visible in two of the images [top] are sand grains two to three millimeters in size that were likely lifted to the Phoenix deck during landing. Each of the large color chips contains a strong magnet to protect the interior material from Mars' magnetic dust. NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona/Texas A&M University
- BIOBARRIER: In one of the few glitches so far for NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander mission, a shiny, protective film failed to completely unwrap from around the elbow joint of the craft's 7.7-foot robotic arm, shown here in its stowed configuration on days one [left] and two [right] of the mission. The image shows the gradual peeling away of the protective biobarrier, put in place to prevent Earthly bacteria from contaminating the arm during the final stages before launch. NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
- LOOK OUT BELOW: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera snapped this shot of Phoenix hanging from its parachute during its descent to the Martian surface. In the background is a crater measuring 10 kilometers (six miles) in diameter. Although it appears that Phoenix is descending into the crater, informally known as "Heimdall," the falling probe is actually about 20 kilometers (12 miles) in front of it. NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
