[X] My Assistant

[Shaka]

http://qt.exploratorium.edu/mars/opportuni...KCP2731R0M1.JPG

Would one of our folks-in-the-know give a quick and simple explanation of this 'halo' effect in this night sky (?) image. I assume it's an artifact of the camera rather than something we need to write the Pope about
Thanx

On another matter, we must have by now at least a dozen full panoramas from this same spot near Erebus. Do they actually serve some scientific purpose or are they just killing time while we unstick the arm? Were they taken at a range of different sun angles? Has anyone been comparing them?

[CosmicRocker]

Thanks guys.

Gee whiz, as we wrap up this amazing year 2005 here on earth, I'll go to sleep wondering how many of the repeatedly-imaged wonders at this location will be studied after the arm stowage problem is resolved, but before the urge to move on takes precedence. I'd sure like to see some MIs of the apparently mineralized patches, with accompanying APXS and Moessbauer integrations. Then, I'd like to see the same at that pile of dark, decrepit rock nearby. Followed, of course, by a proper study of the stratigraphy at the real rim. That's quite a lot of work.

The route to Victoria south of Erebus doesn't look like a romp through a rose garden. Should we expect that the Opster team will want to make a run for Vickie while the sunlight is good, or stop and smell the roses?