Comments on: More On Phoenix: MRO Captures Descent and Videos

By: marcellus

marcellus — Wed, 28 May 2008 04:11:02 +0000

No, the Martians didn't launch a missle to knock down the MRO. They were too fuzzy recovering from the 30 pack of Schmidt beer that Phoenix deployed to keep them busy.

By: Al Hall

Al Hall — Tue, 27 May 2008 20:31:34 +0000

Get real, people. This is clearly a missile launched by the Martians in an attempt to knock down the MRO before it takes more detailed photos of â€œthe faceâ€ and the nearby pyramids. I talked to the leading expert on Mars, Richard Hoagland, and he confirms it..
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By: redcaptainkeve

redcaptainkeve — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:38:46 +0000

come on. I am stupid. That is CLEARLY painted onto the image. No WAY did this actually happen. Some dudes in JPL are yanking your chain

By: Keith98148

Keith98148 — Tue, 27 May 2008 09:15:22 +0000

Wow, great. Just the otherday I shot a reply off to whomever it may concern about posting these images from MRO of the phoenix descent. Great to see someone else thought of it

By: Vanamonde

Vanamonde — Tue, 27 May 2008 07:15:14 +0000

Yep, this picture is the very definition of awe inspiring.

Anyone know what the speed of sound is 12.6km above the surface of Mars?

"Phoenix released its parachute at an altitude of about 12.6 kilometers (7.8 miles) and a velocity of 1.7 times the speed of sound."

By: robbb

robbb — Tue, 27 May 2008 00:38:11 +0000

phenominal! Quite an accomplishment.

By: RL

RL — Mon, 26 May 2008 23:54:10 +0000

Waycool. Thanks for bringing this photo to us!

By: alfamonaro

alfamonaro — Mon, 26 May 2008 23:17:28 +0000

This is has to be one of the most outstanding images I have ever laid eyes on what an accomplishment!

By: ioresult

ioresult — Mon, 26 May 2008 21:52:42 +0000

I meant 12.6km of course.

By: ioresult

ioresult — Mon, 26 May 2008 21:51:21 +0000

Phoenix "released" its parachute at 12.7km? You surely mean "deployed"? I see you mean "released from its casing" and not "discarded".
For everyone else, the parachute is "released into the wild" or "discarded" at 1km altitude. The caption says the heat shield is still attached to Phoenix. That is discarded at 10.8km altitude. To the picture was taken while Phoenix was between 12.7 and 10.8km altitude. Nice.

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 26 May 2008 21:24:58 +0000

That ranks right up there with the orbiter to orbiter photo a while back. Totally, TOTALLY awesome!!!

By: Don Alexander

Don Alexander — Mon, 26 May 2008 20:34:21 +0000

I can but agree:

Absolutely amazing.

By: ed

ed — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:56:53 +0000

Beautiful picture.
It is kind of surreal to know that it is in another planet.