FAQ to basics
A while ago we posted a list of Frequently Asked Questions: http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/faq/ (There are also links to this over on the right of the HiBlog, and on the menu at the top of all of our HiRISE pages.)
A lot of these FAQ have to do with the different data products we release, and how we plan and process the images. There are also definitions of some of the terms we use, which we know can be confusing! Hopefully you’ll find these helpful. If you have questions about HiRISE images, how we work, or anything else, check out our FAQ. If your question isn’t answered in there, please ask us your questions below in the comments. We’ll try our best to answer them, and the FAQ will grow!
One FAQ I’d like to address is, “Why don’t you take an image of X?” where “X” is the asker’s favorite spot on Mars or other celestial body. 
My answer:
If X is on Mars, we will try to image it eventually. Someday (hopefully soon) we will release HiWeb, a tool that will let anyone suggest HiRISE targets. Then you can enter your favorite spot into our database of suggestions. However, HiRISE only gets to image ~1% of the entire surface of Mars in our primary mission, so keep in mind that we have to be extremely picky about what we image. Each suggested target is vetted and prioritized by the science team, then it goes through a lengthy and complex planning process, each step of which has the potential for kicking the target out that cycle. Things that can prevent a given target from being acquired include: limits to how far we can roll off nadir, conflicts with other instruments, conflicts with higher-priority HiRISE images, spacecraft power constraints, danger of the camera overheating, and limitations on the amount of data we can store on board and downlink via the DSN.
For targets that are not on the surface of Mars, we do consider these suggestions! However, please be aware that these special images take a great deal of extra effort on the part of the HiRISE ops team, the JPL support teams, and the LMA engineers. The MRO mission is designed to image Mars, so imaging Phobos, for example, means all the other instruments are prevented from doing their regular science observations. The spacecraft has to point away from the planet using a special maneuver that must be hand-built and carefully tested. Every step, from the initial planning to the execution, processing, and release, involves manual procedures that are different each time. Not being able to use our automated processes and regular tools creates a lot of extra work. So that’s why we don’t image everything in sight. 
Plus, we think Mars is pretty cool, and we’ve still got more than 99% of that left to image! I know Deimos has been requested several times, and it is on our list. If it happens, it won’t be for a while, though, because the Phoenix mission will be taking up a lot of everyone’s time and resources through the end of the summer.
If you’re looking for answers to questions about other missions, or the red planet in general, here are some links that might help:
- MRO mission fact sheet (Clicking this link will download a PDF document)
- Phoenix mission FAQs
- Mars Fact Sheet
- Atlas of Mars
- More about the planet Mars
April 19th, 2008 at 2:38 am
Would it be possible to have a full RSS feed for HiBlog?
April 27th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Hi.
Good article.
Regards
April 29th, 2008 at 4:22 am
i wonder same about RSS feed. if not possible than would be tough