Monthly Archives: June 2017

Curiosity update: Looking east

Posted on June 6, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1718, June 5, 2017, update by MSL scientist Scott Guzewich: We are beginning to turn toward the east and southeast as we approach Vera Rubin Ridge with the Curiosity rover. After a busy and successful plan over the weekend, … Continue reading →

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THEMIS: Triple strike on Solis Planum

Posted on June 6, 2017 by rburnham

THEMIS image of the Day, June 6, 2017. Today’s VIS image is of a group of craters in Solis Planum. Because three of the craters are overlapping it is possible to determine the order in which those three were created. … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right

Posted on June 5, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1715-17, June 5, 2017, update by MSL scientist Michelle Minitti: Curiosity left no stone unturned, unshot or unbrushed as she wrapped up observations at the stand of gray-toned rocks she arrived at on Sol 1712. We added to yesterday’s … Continue reading →

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Valley networks point to much wetter past

Posted on June 5, 2017 by rburnham

A new study led by Northern Illinois University geography professor Wei Luo calculates the amount of water needed to carve the ancient network of valleys on Mars and concludes the Red Planet’s surface was once much more watery than previously … Continue reading →

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THEMIS: Afternoon shadows near south pole

Posted on June 5, 2017 by rburnham

THEMIS Image of the Day, June 5, 2017. Today’s VIS image is of an unnamed crater near the south pole. This image was taken in the late afternoon, and the low sun angle created shadows cast by the crater rim … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Gullies and craters and dunes, oh my!

Posted on June 2, 2017 by rburnham

This unnamed, approximately 30-kilometer diameter crater, formed in the Southern highlands of Mars. Our image shows regions of geologic diversity within, making this an interesting spot for scientists to study how different Martian processes interact with each other. Gullies, or … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Let’s try that again

Posted on June 2, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1714, June 1, 2017, update by MSL scientist Lauren Edgar: Unfortunately the Sol 1713 activities were not uplinked due to an issue at the DSN station, so today’s plan is focused on recovering the activities that were planned yesterday.  … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Slide on down

Posted on June 2, 2017 by rburnham

Slide on down. Beautiful Mars series.

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Curiosity: Fore and aft Hazcam views

Posted on June 2, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1714, June 2, 2017. Two views from Curiosity’s Hazcams. (Rear Hazcam image is noisy.) Click either to enlarge the image. Sol 1714 raw images (from all cameras), and Curiosity’s latest location.

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THEMIS: Proctor Crater floor in false color

Posted on June 2, 2017 by rburnham

THEMIS Image of the Day, June 2, 2017. Today’s false color image shows part of Proctor Crater in Noachis Terra. The THEMIS VIS camera contains 5 filters. The data from different filters can be combined in multiple ways to create … Continue reading →

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