When it comes to space exploration, where scientists often measure their needs in milli-this and micro-that, Deep Impact, as its name suggests, has all the subtlety of a punch in the mouth.
Although the objects depicted are small and blurry the probe is still 71 million miles away from its target the photo heralds the beginning of a new space exploration bonanza, scientists say.
The 1970's are ushered in with Skylab space explorations with scientists conducting research and experiments in micro-gravity conditions.
Dr. Jim Garvin, the Mars exploration program scientist for NASA, said the findings "tell us that more study both from orbit and at the surface is needed to decipher the tantalizing history of water on Mars".
"We really have not developed a 'do not resuscitate' list" of circumstances mandating ending a mission, says Mars exploration lead scientist Michael Meyer of NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
In this regard, Jim Garvin, the Mars exploration program scientist for NASA, proclaimed that MRO would be a "microscope in orbit".
This year's theme, "Excitement in Explorations," gave scientists and engineers a chance to explain their favorite gadgets, ideas and projects from the past year and to share their plans for the future.
In particular, the use of climbing robots for space exploration can allow scientists to explore environments too challenging for traditional wheeled designs.
Schilling's work focuses on three main groups active in the region: exploration geologists, forestry scientists and First Nations.
This shift has opened new areas of fundamental exploration, and presented scientists with new career opportunities and challenges as they try to navigate the information overload.
