MRO photographed from space the area where the Phoenix spacecraft will land tomorrow

The Phoenix spacecraft, which is expected to land on the night between Sunday and Monday in the northern region of Mars, will encounter ground that has cracked as a result of the expansion and contraction of the ice beneath it

One of the areas of interest this week on Mars is the area where the Phoenix spacecraft will land on the night between Sunday and Monday. One of the reasons why this specific northern area was chosen as the landing site is due to the absence of rocks that could cause damage to the lander.

Phoenix will analyze the dust on the surface as well as excavate the ice-rich layer, which is expected to extend throughout the area, including several centimeters below the site where the spacecraft will land.

The polygon-like shapes on the surface were apparently created as a result of temperature fluctuations that caused the ice to crack. We will come back and update with the landing itself.