Opportunity Sits In A Small Crater, Near A Bigger One

NASA - JPL ^ | 01-25-2004 | NASA/JPL

[Lokibob]

Sure looks like it. Good eye!!!

[Unmarked Package]

Is that a lander shadow I see on that pic next to the larger crater?

That is correct. JPL confirmed today that the small, dark circle to the left of the large impact crater is actually the shadow cast by the lander parachute as it was descending to the surface.

[Consort]

It could be in a caldera. The light stuff in the bottom image of Post #7 looks like cracked ice.

[ElkGroveDan]

How did they decide they were in a crater?

They know the craft is sitting nearly level, yet the horizon is higher than it should be all the way around...the only conclusion can be that she's sitting in a big hole in the ground.

[bd476]

Phil, what is the glow around the large rock like thing? Or maybe the question should be: what is the large rock like thing? Is that the Opportunity?

[Phil V.]

How did they decide they were in a crater?

I don't know what evidence other than what I was speculating about last night . . . 1) the funny "roll-out" of the air-bagged rover last night and . . . 2) the very close horizon clearly (in stereoscope) inclined away from Opportunity. Plus in the panoramic picture here . . .

. . . there appear to be air-bag marks both to the left as well as to the right which suggests that the crater "captured" Opportunity with enough momentum to roll down, up and perhaps around before settling in the bottom. Opportunity found a roller park!

[Phil V.]

Yes, I believe it has been determined to be the lander's shadow. . . 2nd & 3rd . . .

[OldFriend]

Please ping me on Mars....thanks!

[GeronL]

Think there is a spider under that hole waiting to gobble up the rover?

[Phil V.]

cookies HARRRRRRR!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OK.

That makes sense, they should support their conclusion better for us diehards!

[Phil V.]

Think there is a spider under that hole waiting to gobble up the rover?

[Aracelis]

Did they outsource any of this work?

I'd also like to know how many of the software engineers took ESL classes. Yes, I am pessimistic. We need to grow our own engineers and scientists.

[ChadGore]

Here's a 3X zoom of DIMES3 with the shaddow of the parchute in it. This image was taken 4,606 feet above the martian surface.

Any guesses on which little crater we're in ?

[Lokibob]

I took the first picture, blew it up 250% and enhanced it.  Out of the mush came the parachute shadow.

 

 

 

 

[plsvn]

See that dot ? It's a shadow of the parachute as it comes in for a landing.

Note also the ground immediately around the dot being brighter (than the surrounding ground). That's probably sunlight reflecting back towards the incoming spacecraft. This ground brightening isn't apparent when the incoming spacecraft is further away (the first image).

If you've ever flown in an aircraft and watched the shadow of your plane on the ground, you'll notice this phenomenon, too.

[TYVets]

I hope those outsource people speak English.

[Lokibob]

Knowing the altitude and the position of the shadow in all 3 pictures, a pretty good estimate of the actual landing point could be calculated.

[Triple Word Score]

I am having so much fun just sitting here imagining the Chinese watching this.

Slightly dated, but the same general feeling of unbearable "We are the best!" over-the-top smugness:

"I know the Soviets (lalala)
They must be most upset
'Cuz they cannot build a car like my Eldy yet
It's got the fireplace
It's got the swimming pool
If you need extra space, it's got the backseat too.

"I've got a million dollars worth of ethyl gas
And a reservation for the room
Tonight I'm gonna drive my Eldorado to the moon
Tonight I'm gonna drive my Eldorado to the moon...."

--Michael Nesmith

[BenLurkin]

So is this another UFO crash site like Spirit is vetting or something different?