Phoenix, Say Cheese

i am not the first to make this observation, nor the last but it is so amazing to this space geek that i had to share. this photo is from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter OF the Phoenix Lander on its final descent gently cradled under its open parachute.
why am i so amazed? a few reasons, first, this image is from ANOTHER planet. second, this image was taken BY a robot orbiting aforementioned OTHER planet, OF another robot descending towards yet again aforementioned OTHER planet. third, this image of a robot taken by another robot on another planet, is SO far away that it takes anywhere from 5-22 MINUTES (depending on earth's orbital location relative to mar's) for a radio signal to reach it. that is just plain amazing.


P.S. this is yet one more example of what i mean when i say "hey, if we can put robots on mars then we can solve...(fill in the blank with any problem we face)"