How were the scientists chosen for the timely mission to Mars?
Mars’ day is 40 minutes longer than Earth’s. Since the probe shuts down during the night on Mars, that is the time scientists use to analyze the data it sends back. Because the day is longer on Mars, the scientists have to adjust their schedule daily. Their data appears to come later and later in the day or night, and so must adjust their sleeping and eating cycles to compensate for it. They don’t just let the data sit and look at it tomorrow. The data they receive today will help them determine what instructions they will send to the probe tomorrow. This is causing their bodies to change their circadian clock. All humans are used to a 24 hour day. That is why we feel jet lag when we travel more than a few timezones away. This problem was anticipated, and there is another group of scientists studying the Phoenix probe scientists, and helping them deal with the constant jetlag. The probe scientists were chosen due to their knowledge about the probe and Mars. They all volunteered to be s
