[BubbaBasher]

One of the very first images that Phoenix sent back was of the Martian plain.

In this image there is a very strange object near the horizon and just to the right of center. It is white, narrow, vertical, and appears to be reflecting light. I've seen no discussion of this object on any of the Phoenix sites. Click here to view a high resolution version of this photo. Any intelligent speculation as to what it might be?

[Crazieman]

Either the heat shield, or a metallic part of the parachute system. Both landed relatively near Phoenix.

[scan59]

That is odd. Looks like a small pole atop a bigger pole. Then again, when you save to your computer and really zoom in it looks like a light refraction.

[VeniVidiVici]

[Thrownatbirth]

The first Martian - and he’s white!

[DBrow]

It looks like either saturated, or dead (stuck) pixels.

Sometimes a bright light can saturate several pixels in a row, making a straight line. It’s common enough that nobody would remark on it.

[theDentist]

It looks like the space where I parked my car at the last Pats game I attended. And distance seems spot on!

[js1138]

[tumblindice]

Puny Earthlings:
What you see is the tip of a Martian Interplanetary Ballistic Missile (IPBM)!
Those “mounds” you see are more missile silos.
Cease your aggression, or we will destroy your planet.
Cordially, John Carter
32nd Degree Mason, Barsoon, Mars

[CougarGA7]

It’s obviously a survey stake. KB Homes is starting a development there. And despite all that room they will still place the houses 10 feet apart.

Seriously though, it is easy for CCDs and APSs to get a row saturated, If that’s the case it can cause a line in the image. Those electrons got stuck.

[Ikemeister]

the monolith

[Leisler]

[Redleg Duke]

Just the landing skid marks from John Carter’s one-man flyer.

[driftdiver]

Sheesh will someone just go clean up the set. We all know this is really taking place in some warehouse and not on Mars.

[Sicon]

"It's 'Sam the Eagle' from The Muppets!"
- Ken Keasey

[Tzimisce]

Could be a speck on the lens.

[JRios1968]

[Petronski]

A Martian shrine to Dick Morris?

[TexasCajun]

[commonguymd]

Interesting. Wish they could adjust focus for the horizon. The focusing seems to be for close up views.

[evets]