[X] My Assistant

[fredk]

Bigger than that - at 0.12 deg/px and 650 m distance I get 1.36 m/px, so the cloud is roughly 70 or 80 m across/high.

From hirise I measure an azimuth of -71 deg for the DS impact. IF the rhaz is pointing exactly along the rover axis, then the centre of the rhaz frames should be at -66 (using rover azimuth 114 deg). But the cloud is left of centre frame. So using the above scale, I get the cloud to be between az -72 and -80 degrees. So a bit off. But the assumption of rhaz on axis could easily be out by a few degrees.

In fact, I'm way more willing to accept a few degree offset than a DD that magically appeared as we landed!

edit: that scale refers to the full res (1024 pix wide) image.

[bigdipper]

Looking at the HiRISE imagery of the descent stage, does the distribution of the debris field represent the disintegration of the stage from impact only, or is it possible that some or all of the 140+/- kilos of Hydrozine exploded and expanded the debris field? [I understand the darker albedo material is from below the surface]

Does the thin martian atmosphere contain enough oxygen to support combustion/explosion? [guessing No, but my chem is insufficient]

Were the hydrazine cells sufficiently designed to survive impact intact?

I couldn't find anything on the net or in the specs, any ideas?

[Pando]

From hirise I measure an azimuth of -71 deg for the DS impact. IF the rhaz is pointing exactly along the rover axis, then the centre of the rhaz frames should be at -66 (using rover azimuth 114 deg). But the cloud is left of centre frame. So using the above scale, I get the cloud to be between az -72 and -80 degrees. So a bit off. But the assumption of rhaz on axis could easily be out by a few degrees.

The dust cloud could have drifted somewhat since the crash. Looking at the crests of those black dunes, it appears that the prevailing winds are roughly north to south. If we're looking at west-northwest with the rear hazcam, I find it plausible that some drifting toward the left may have occurred due to wind.

Since we now have the direction roughly correct, it all depends on the exact timing of the images to really nail it down.

[DFinfrock]

The dust cloud could have drifted somewhat since the crash. Looking at the crests of those black dunes, it appears that the prevailing winds are roughly north to south. If we're looking at west-northwest with the rear hazcam, I find it plausible that some drifting toward the left may have occurred due to wind.

Since we now have the direction roughly correct, it all depends on the exact timing of the images to really nail it down.

Since the parachute landed generally south of the line of the other impactors, we can safely assume that the wind was from north to south, which might support that hypothesis of a drifting cloud of dust. But of course, the parachute was drifting with the winds above the ground. We don't know for certain that the wind at the surface was also from north to south.

David

[MahFL]

Since the parachute landed generally south of the line of the other impactors, we can safely assume that the wind was from north to south, which might support that hypothesis of a drifting cloud of dust. But of course, the parachute was drifting with the winds above the ground. We don't know for certain that the wind at the surface was also from north to south.

David

Don't forget the DS does a rather large avoidance maneuver to prevent the back shell/parachute from impacting the DS as it slows down.