The MarsWatch FTP site
Go there to get full instructions on how to upload your images of Mars for
posting on this website.
| Welcome From the Project Scientist | General Information on Mars | Information on MarsNet | Information on Pathfinder | Planned HST observations |
Mars Pathfinder will be the first spacecraft to return to the surface
of Mars in almost 21 years. Scheduled to land
on July 4, 1997, Pathfinder will initiate an exciting era of exploration
of the surface of Mars.
The Mars Pathfinder spacecraft enters the martian atmosphere behind an aeroshell
directly from cruise. Key portions of the landing and Sol 1 surface operations
depend on knowledge of martian atmospheric conditions, especially those
commonly associated with dust storms. Having a prior knowledge of the state
of the Martian atmosphere before arrival would allow time for fine tuning
of the Mars Pathfinder Entry, Descent, and Landing phase of operations.
In order to monitor atmospheric conditions on Mars, we need world-wide help
of amateur and professional astronomers. MarsWatch was created to be a clearinghouse
for information and images on Martian atmospheric conditions gathered by
amateur and professional astronomers world-wide. It is a combination of
science and outreach activity centered around observing of the atmosphere
of Mars from now to July 4, 1997. Atmospheric observations will be especially
crucial during the Mars Pathfinder cruise portion of operations (December,
1996 through July, 1997). If an astronomer observes some anomalous activity
during the cruise phase, you can notify us and we will pass on the information
to all astronomers. Please click here for more information
on how this verification will be done. Any images (including those from
the Hubble Space Telescope) acquired during this time will be examined for
anomalous activity and included on this website. So join us in making the
return to Mars successful, if you observe any changes in the atmosphere
of Mars, please let us know.
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