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Astronomy Picture of the Day
NASA ^ | 5/29/08 | NASA

Posted on 05/30/2008 3:52:40 PM PDT by sig226


Descent of the Phoenix
Credit:
MRO-HiRISE, NASA, JPL, Univ. Arizona

Explanation: In this sweeping view, the 10 kilometer-wide crater Heimdall lies on the north polar plains of Mars. But the bright spot highlighted in the inset is the Phoenix lander parachuting toward the surface. The amazing picture was captured on May 25th by the HiRISE camera onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Though the lander looks like it might be dropping straight into Heimdall, it is really descending about 20 kilometers in front of the crater, in the foreground of the scene. The orbiter was 760 kilometers away from Phoenix when picture was taken, at an altitude of 310 kilometers. Subsequently the orbiter's camera was also able to image the lander on the surface. The parachute attached to the backshell and the heat shield were identified in the image, scattered nearby. Of course, the Phoenix lander itself is now returning much closer views of its landing site as it prepares to dig into the Martian surface.


TOPICS: Astronomy Picture of the Day
KEYWORDS: apod

1 posted on 05/30/2008 3:52:40 PM PDT by sig226
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To: fnord; Number57; KevinDavis; rdb3; MNJohnnie; thoughtomator; RightWhale; proudofthesouth; ...

2 posted on 05/30/2008 3:53:44 PM PDT by sig226 (Real power is not the ability to destroy an enemy. It is the willingness to do it.)
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To: sig226

OK, now that’s cool. Astounding. BTT.


3 posted on 05/30/2008 3:59:39 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: sig226

The link associated with the picture is dead. Do you happen to know if there is a false color version of that image?


4 posted on 05/30/2008 4:01:12 PM PDT by Doohickey (SSN-681; SSN-671; SSN-669; SSN-712)
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To: sig226

I heard this was taken 20 seconds after the heat shield was dropped off. Find the falling heat shield ;^)


5 posted on 05/30/2008 4:03:16 PM PDT by Brian S. Fitzgerald ("We're going to drag that ship over the mountain.")
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To: sig226

We saw that inset image a couple days ago, but not as part of the Martian landscape. The Orbiter camera is excellent!


6 posted on 05/30/2008 4:12:35 PM PDT by RightWhale (We see the polygons)
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To: Brian S. Fitzgerald

I saw a picture that showed the location of all three; the heat shield, parachute and Phoenix. It may have been a composit picture but it did show them on the surface. This was on FNC yesterday.


7 posted on 05/30/2008 4:19:16 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Doohickey; All
correct link:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0805/phoenixchute_hirise_cut.jpg

8 posted on 05/30/2008 4:29:02 PM PDT by sig226 (Real power is not the ability to destroy an enemy. It is the willingness to do it.)
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To: sig226

Thanks for posting, sig.


9 posted on 05/30/2008 4:40:11 PM PDT by HoosierHawk
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To: Red_Devil 232

That’s true...the challenge is to find the falling heat shield in the above picture...


10 posted on 05/30/2008 4:41:53 PM PDT by Brian S. Fitzgerald ("We're going to drag that ship over the mountain.")
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To: sig226

Thank you Sig...it’s clear as mud yet its fun as well as challenging sifting through the silt. I noticed how many threads there are and always changing throughout the day and i can see how valuable pings are.
I appreciate the assistance and again thanks for adding me to your list. ~Dixie


11 posted on 05/31/2008 3:04:28 AM PDT by SouthDixie
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To: SouthDixie
Here's an answer to the question you emailed.
12 posted on 05/31/2008 9:16:03 PM PDT by sig226 (Real power is not the ability to destroy an enemy. It is the willingness to do it.)
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