To give you some idea as to the size of a HiRISE image, I’ve put together a few screenshots from our planning software, HiPlan. These images compare the HiRISE footprint with that of the the THEMIS instrument aboard Mars Odyssey. These screenshots are shown below as thumbnails; click on a thumbnail to see the screenshot at its actual resolution.

I should note that these are not planned to be actual HiRISE images; I was using HiPlan in test mode while working on the display of the individual HiRISE CCD footprints.

Take a look at this screenshot. It covers a small region of Mars roughly one degree across and slightly less than a degree tall:

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It seems that things are (dare I say?) settling down into a routine here at HiROC. As the cycles progress, we get a little better with each one: software tools are being developed, our procedures are being refined, and we’re becoming more adept and making fewer mistakes (hopefully!). Of course, there are always little interruptions and semi-emergencies that preclude relaxing too much.
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Tomorrow marks the beginning of the third two-week cycle in the primary mission. However, it’s only my first cycle! One Targeting Specialist is assigned to each cycle, and I’m on for cycle 3. Because we spend almost four weeks planning before the cycle even starts, there are three Targeting Specialists overlapping at any one time, in various stages of the planning process. Plus there’s a backup — HiBUTS, which stands for HiRISE BackUp Targeting Specialist. (I can’t take credit for that — that’s one of HiKu’s!)

Since before PSP started, we’ve all been working long hours. We haven’t had much time to blog, but right now I’m just waiting nervously for my commands to be radiated, so I thought I’d share this recipe. For all you faithful blog readers out there (all 2 of you? ), here’s my secret to surviving long workdays and cold nights:

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