Hi all,
I just saw this on Discovery HD, and thought you might be interested: the Mars Observer has a 0.5 meter instrument in orbit (they didn't specify type, but from the pictures it was a flavor of Cassegrain). The detector is an array of CCD's totalling 1200 Mb (yup). Surface resolution is (ready for this) 1 foot per pixel 8O at the 300km perigee.
First, a "context camera" takes a wide-fild view at 6 meter resolution, then the big scope focuses in and counts the nose hairs. Should be some amazing images coming back. It also has surface-penetrating radar and a spectograph for geological exploration.
For those of you who have it, Discovery HD will have a weekly summary of the best MO images, starting in April.
Tim Iafolla
I just saw this on Discovery HD, and thought you might be interested: the Mars Observer has a 0.5 meter instrument in orbit (they didn't specify type, but from the pictures it was a flavor of Cassegrain). The detector is an array of CCD's totalling 1200 Mb (yup). Surface resolution is (ready for this) 1 foot per pixel 8O at the 300km perigee.
First, a "context camera" takes a wide-fild view at 6 meter resolution, then the big scope focuses in and counts the nose hairs. Should be some amazing images coming back. It also has surface-penetrating radar and a spectograph for geological exploration.
For those of you who have it, Discovery HD will have a weekly summary of the best MO images, starting in April.
Tim Iafolla
