QUESTION:
Are either of the two Mars Missions, Mars Pathfinder or Mars Global
Surveyor, imaging Mars as they are approaching Mars?  If so, are these
images available (where and in what format)?  Could I access Mars images
in 16 bit fits format?

ANSWER from John Moreau on May 1, 1997:
Neither of the two spacecraft will image Mars as they are approaching.  Mars
Global Surveyor must go through a 6 month "aerobraking" process in order to
achieve a suitable orbit for imaging the planet.  Pathfinder, because it
will not go into orbit but instead plunge down directly through the
atmosphere and (hopefully) land on the planet's surface.  Pathfinder must
remain in a closed position due to heat of atmospheric entry and the shock
of landing, which will be mitigated by special airbags deploying to absorb
some of the impact shock. When Pathfinder lands, it actually opens liks a
flower petal to expose the instrument packages and the rover Sojourner
within.  The Imager for Mars Pathfinder (IMP) camera may only begin to image
after the landing and opening stages of the spacecraft.