Dust Continues to Blanket Mars

[Greg Bryant]

The dust storm on Mars is a fascinating story to follow, more so since the Rovers are having to wait out the storm - and hopefully survive.

Here is a recent release from the orbiting Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, showing "before" and "after" images of Mars.

http://www.msss.com/msss_images/2007/07/19/

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Extraordinary images.
I'd think that the Rovers would have to dig themselves out after this.

[iceman (Mike)]

Wow, it really is blanketing the planet. I wonder what it will mean for the rest of this apparition once the dust literally settles.. some albedo markings may be much less prominent.

The rovers will need some pretty serious dust devils to clear their solar arrays to get them back to full power.

Thanks for the link Greg, great images.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

If (a very BIG 'if') there are any lifeforms on Mars, no wonder there is no sign of them on the surface. They may be down in those black-hole caverns! Would you like to try survive in months-long duststorms! So any bugs, insects, critters or whatever would have moved into safe caverns long ago.

Just a thought.

Thanks for the comparison pics Greg, they are certainly impressive!!!

[Kal (Andrew)]

Olympus Mons and Tharsis Montes really stand out in those big dust storms! Great pics, thanks for the link Greg!

[ispom]

http://www.universetoday.com/2007/08/08/martian-skies-are-starting-to-clear/

The dire condition of the Mars Exploration Rovers has improved a bit in the last few days. That series of dust storms circling the planet has eased off a little, and the skies are started to clear up. This is giving both Spirit and Opportunity a much needed boost to their solar powered electrical systems…

lets hope, they are alive yet !