Phoenix Digs Deeper Trench

Space & Earth science / Space Exploration

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona/Texas A&M University/NASA Ames Research Center

This color-coded elevation map shows the "Dodo-Goldilocks" trench dug by the Robotic Arm on NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander.

This color-coded elevation map shows the "Dodo-Goldilocks" trench dug by the Robotic Arm on NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander. The trench, originally two separate trenches nicknamed "Dodo" (left) and "Goldilocks" (right), became one after further digging on the 19th Martian day, or Sol 18, of the mission (June 12, 2008).

The trench is 7 to 8 centimeters (2.7 to 3 inches) at its deepest (blue). Because the terrain itself is inclined at a 14-degree angle, the highest areas (pink) are about 20 centimeters (7.8 inches) above the lowest areas.

The trench is 22 centimeters (8.7 inches) wide and 35 centimeters (13.8 inches) long. Its deepest portion is closest to the lander.

This picture was taken by Phoenix's Surface Stereo Imager on Sol 19 (June 13, 2008).

The Phoenix Mission is led by the University of Arizona, Tucson, on behalf of NASA. Project management of the mission is by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. Spacecraft development is by Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver.

Source: NASA

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Posted by zevkirsh 06/16/08 16:55

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i wouldn't exactly call this a trench on planet earth, but then again, this is the largest mad made excavation project on mars, so perhaps it is worthy of the moniker 'trench' , which is ordinarily preserved for very large dugouts of the earth. i mean this thing is barely larger than the result of someone kickup up a patch of dirt.

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Posted by gmurphy 06/17/08 08:16

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le petite trenche?