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Mars Pathfinder Mission Status
July 29, 1997
4:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time
Imaging the atmosphere of Mars -- how clear or dusty it is and whether there are traces of water vapor -- was the focus of science activities on the surface of Mars today.

The Mars Pathfinder imaging team also photographed the lander's wind socks, three small socks attached at different heights to a 1-meter mast. Visual images of these small socks provide scientists with information on wind strength and direction.

Temperatures on Sol 25 were typical, ranging from highs near minus 12 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit) and lows of minus 79 degrees Celsius (minus 110 degrees Fahrenheit). Today the Earth rose over Mars at 1:28 a.m. PDT and the Sun rose at 4:32 a.m. PDT.

The Atmospheric Science Instrument/Meteorology Package (ASI/MET) instrument team reported a very successful day of data return, said Flight Director Jennifer Harris, receiving more information than ever before on the pressure of the Martian atmosphere. Also included in the downlink sessions was more imaging data for the high-resolution "super panorama" of the landing site. In all, a total of 48 megabits of data was successfully returned.

A sequencing transmission error prevented the rover from executing its daily traverse, Harris said. The situation was quickly corrected and the rover was able to complete an accelerometer diagnosis sequence, which involved making a 120- degree turn in place. Sojourner will complete its traverse to the rock nicknamed Mini Matterhorn tomorrow and then turn to image the lander.

The Earth set today at 3:03 p.m. PDT and the Sun will set at 5:22 p.m. PDT.

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