Phoenix on Mars

sol 117 soil that was under rock "Headless":

with comment links to RAC 3D and location 3D.

I smiled when I saw this picture. Looks a lot like "icy soil".

Hi Hort

I wonder if this adds support to the second Phoenix Team hypothesis "An alternative possibility, if the icy layer were found closer to the surface under a rock, could be the rock collecting moisture from the atmosphere, with the moisture becoming part of the icy layer".

If this is so how does it square with the TECP results? and the possibility of an active water cycle with the atmosphere.

Fred; I'm looking at you.

Winston

I did not think an active hydro-cycle was in question. We have seen frost and snow on the surface. If they are looking at other possibilities then they are ignoring the visible data.

Fred

Interesting post here:

http://www.unmannedspaceflight.com/index.php?showtopic=5420&view=findpost&p=126600

Especially this link:

http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/meeting/sep-08/P_Smith_Phoenix_results.ppt

Barsommer,

I can not hit that link. I get the red hat. If it has anything to do with hydro-cycle cut and paste.

Fred

Very interesting power point presentation by Dr Smith.

The Pros and Cons for Habitility included the pro of "organics??" and a con of "no clear organic signature". Does that mean that some signal was detected?

His slide on WCL results included the interesting facts that concentrated perchlorates lower the freezing point of water to -70C - and that perchlorate reducing bacteria exist on Earth. Also was the result "no sulfates!" Why the "!"?

The TEGA results list was quite short - and paradoxial: No ice in surface sample, ice at 5 cm, CO2 and H2O released between 200 and 1000 C and, my favorite, "Minerals created in a liquid water environment"

The entire slide show did not mention the AFM even once. So, either it is a total failure and has become an "un-instrument" or it's results are not yet understood -- and in total keeping with the "It we don't know what it is then it ain't real" philosophy of the mission.

There was a Energy Available graph that shows when various heaters will be turned off. The last to go will be the SSI and MET heaters around sol 160.

Seems as they do have some organic results.

No sulfates! reduction at the shallow subsurface?
sulfur, and sulfides ?

The lack of information, might be that they do not know whats goin on whatsover.

http://archive.seti.org/pdfs/csc-Aug6.pdf

This is a talk abstract that suggests the interior of hygroscopic crystals might provide a possible habitat for photosynthetic bacteria in arid locations.

Note that perchlorates tend to be hygroscopic. I wonder if any types of perchlorate crystals can be identified in the OM images?

It looks like some more "icy soil"? was collected and delivered to TEGA? Er, there seem to be two unopened doors. One for the OFB ( organic free blank ) and one for???

The clock is running out in the overtime, so the coach should call for a "Hail Mary" play and load'er up with the soil under the rock known as "Headless". ( At least that's what I would do coaching from the comfort of my recliner. )

As everyone knows, the Phoenix team will give a press conference next Monday at 11:00am PDT.

Any suggestions for questions we would like to be asked by some press member?

Here is my list:

1. Why have no more AFM images been released beyond the first? Is it due to technical problems?

2. Has the team identified the ribbon-like feature in the Sol 105 OM images? Is it something from the lander?

3. Did the TEGA calorimeter show any sign of exothermic reactions?

4. Did TEGA detect any evolved nitrogen? Any signature suggestive of organic material?

5. Has the team identified any specific perchlorate compounds, e.g. sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, or ammonium perchlorate? (Have any crystals of such been identified in the OM?)

Just tell us the truth brother.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q1eGAnmL14

Fred

Now we can debate who I am. Is he a drunk. He might be. More music I did not to go Hank on ya.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp3AY4zbRwU

Fred

Edit that boys.

Fred

Now Allen Jackson said it was allwrite to be little bitty. that was a Tom T.Hall song.

Fred

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ew8j85M9nA

Lets just here from the man.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HU-C4Wost8

Fred

This is to all the guys that think I am a drunk.

Tom T.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i5k4I1AOEI

Fred

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knetbVx5A-QNow this guy had Gorge Jones bury him. A nothing so to speak. We share a little.

Fred

Now you may ask why the music. I am driving my life away.

A little Rabbit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb97p9fGTts

Fred

I do drift into music.

Last song for tonight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn9cHegvcFI

Fred

You got to admit. The brits can sing..

Fred

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovASg2ewwMw&feature=related