Author Archives: phoenixpics

OK, be honest, hands up – who thought this blog was dead now that Oppy’s mission is over? No, no. I’ve just been super busy with writing, and work, and doing astronomy up in the dark sky wilds of Northumberland, … Continue reading →

  WE LET YOU GO So unjust, so unfair that in the end it was the dust that killed you, Not the natural wear and tear or honourable rust of old age. Everyone who loved you knew the Sol would … Continue reading →

  This is a very hard post to write. It’s one I’ve been dreading, for years, literally years, but there’s no putting it off any longer. Overnight last night the final, Final, FINAL ‘Wake up, please?’ commands were sent to … Continue reading →

Last Thursday (24th) was my birthday – big number, don’t ask – but to be honest my mind was on a different anniversary: the following day, Friday, was another birthday of a kind – the 15th anniversary of Opportunity landing … Continue reading →

  It’s now been 215 days since Opportunity last made contact with Earth. In mid-June a raging dust storm enveloped Mars, cutting off her precious sunlight, plunging her into darkness and putting her to sleep. Since then the MER team … Continue reading →

A MER-RY MARTIAN CHRISTMAS   “Yes I’m sure, I’ll be fine!” the Doctor sighed, rolling her eyes as her friend Yaz asked her for at least the tenth time if she was sure she didn’t want to join her and … Continue reading →

Ten years ago – well, ten years and five days ago to be precise – I sat down to begin this blog. By that time Opportunity had already been on Mars for four years or so, and I’d walked by … Continue reading →

Today is the 173rd day since Opportunity fell silent. Despite the best efforts of the MER team and other teams of scientists at NASA and around the world, no bleep, beep or electronic cheep has been heard from our rover, … Continue reading →

No, not THAT news! NASA hasn’t heard from Opportunity – but it has given the MER team the go-ahead to keep actively trying to make contact with the rover  until January, when they will review things again… This means that … Continue reading →

It’s now been 141 days since the MER team heard from Opportunity. That’s a long time, and I think it’s fair to say that even the most optimistic of rover fans is now getting worried. It doesn’t help that stories … Continue reading →