QUESTION: 
At the beginning of the Pathfinder mission, it was mentioned that a
photo of Earth as seen from the surface of Mars would be taken. Was the
photo ever taken? If so do you know where I can view it?

ANSWER from Jim Bell on October 22, 1998:
No such photo exists. We tried several times to take this image,
which would have been not only scientifically valuable but of course
an incredibly beautiful and inspirational sight. However, just like on 
Earth, astronomers on Mars are sometimes clouded out. Each time we
took the picture we got beautiful pictures of Martian clouds that
blocked the Earth. The Earth is there, just behind the clouds. I
believe that either 3 or 4 attempts were made (we could only try on
certain days because night-time battery power had to be used), and
then of course the lander died after 83 Sols on Mars. You can be
assured that another attempt will be made with the Mars 98 lander
camera during late 1999!

Jim Bell
Mars Pathfinder Participating Scientist