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The Meteorological (MET) Station, located on the deck of the Phoenix lander, consists
of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) instrument, a pressure sensor, and 1.2
metre vertical mast with three temperature sensors. Most of the electronics are
located in the payload electronics box. The MET station was developed by MDA in
partnership with Optech Incorporated.
Immediately after Phoenix touches down on the surface of Mars, the mast and MET
instruments will be deployed. On sol 1 the Canadian MET instrument will begin to
scan the martian atmosphere obtaining data about the formation, duration and movement
of clouds, dust devils and fog,
The MET station will measure temperatures at ground level and three other heights
to about 2 metres above ground. It will check the pressure, humidity and composition
of the atmosphere at the surface. It will also identify the amounts, altitudes and
movements of clouds and dust in the sky above.
Over the course of the mission, the MET station will help researchers evaluate correlations
such as whether southbound winds carry more humidity than northbound winds; whether
drops in air pressure are associated with increased dust; and how the amount of
water vapour at the bottom of the atmosphere changes from late spring to mid-summer
or later.
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