href="http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/spotlight/20070612.html">Extreme Planet Takes Its Toll

Spirit recorded a 95 F temperature. It said “in the shade”. I am guessing the thermometer is under the rover close to the ground.

I didn’t know it got that warm on Mars. I was thinking the low 80’s was about as warm as it ever got.

Of course, this is near the ground. A few feet up in the thin air and things get cooler.

I wonder how hot the dark soar panels get?

I fear Spirit is near the end of its journey. She was the first to be built and they modified Opportunity based on what they learned building Spirit. She has done good and Home Plate would be fitting as a final resting place.

I thought Opportunity would last longer, but after reading this, I am not so sure now. Getting power is not a problem for Opportunity, but keeping all her parts working could be. Victoria may be her final resting place.

After sitting alone for decades, one day these rovers may get a visit from human visitors. Will they be left alone and perhaps fenced off with a marker placed nearby? Or will they be put in a Mars museum? I just hope they don’t send one or both back to the Earth to be put in an Earth museum. I bet there will be a big fight over this one day.

In the meantime, I hope we send more MERS.