Wow, guys, you sure are polite
Too bad not everyone has detailed knowledge of Martian
north pole like you do, huh?
Maybe you should be glad someone cared enough to ask a
question at all, but that kind of thing doesn't occur to an
"expert", does it?
And then you geeks wonder why the public doesn't give a
crap about space exploration or science.
By the way, something you as an "expert" didn't seem to know
is that Phoenix will actually be covered in THREE FEET of frozen
carbon dioxide come the Martian winter. The lander does have
heaters, but they are only for keeping the instruments alive for
now. And no, they can't use the mechanical arm to knock the
ice off.
You have a nice day, now, ya hear.