Monthly Archives: June 2017

HiRISE: ‘Elementary, my dear deposit…’

Posted on June 28, 2017 by rburnham

Just like Earth, Mars experiences seasons that change as the planet orbits the Sun. Seasonal changes are most apparent at the higher latitudes. As these regions in each hemisphere enter their respective summer seasons, the sun rises higher in the … Continue reading →

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Trace Gas Orbiter: Aerobraking suspended

Posted on June 28, 2017 by rburnham

On 25 June, the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) will suspend its aerobraking campaign until the end of August due to Mars’ conjunction with the Sun. With Mars behind the Sun, TGO’s communication with Earth will be difficult, and so the spacecraft orbit … Continue reading →

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MARCI weather report, June 19-25, 2017

Posted on June 28, 2017 by rburnham

Dust-raising activity persevered along the edge of the seasonal north polar ice cap this past week. While the majority of the storms were small in scale, more extensive storm fronts were spotted over Utopia Planitia towards the end of the … Continue reading →

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HiRISE; Exposed bedrock, Koval’sky impact basin

Posted on June 28, 2017 by rburnham

This image shows partially exposed bedrock within the Koval’sky impact basin, which is on the outskirts of the extensive lava field of Daedalia Planum. Daedalia Planum is located southwest of Arsia Mons, which may be the source responsible for filling … Continue reading →

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THEMIS: North polar ice cap troughs and layers

Posted on June 28, 2017 by rburnham

THEMIS Image of the Day, June 28, 2017. Do you see what I do? Looks like a person’s profile at the bottom of this image. (THEMIS Art #135) More THEMIS Images of the Day by geological topic.

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Curiosity update: More touch and go on the way to Vera Rubin Ridge

Posted on June 27, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1739-40, June 26, 2017, update by MSL scientist Abigail Fraeman: This past weekend, Curiosity continued to journey east along the contact between the lower portion of Vera Rubin Ridge and the Murray formation with a drive that was a little … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Mojave Crater far-flung impact ejecta

Posted on June 27, 2017 by rburnham

Distal reaches of Mojave Crater impact ejecta. Beautiful Mars series.

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THEMIS: Lava channel on Hecates Tholus

Posted on June 27, 2017 by rburnham

THEMIS Image of the Day, June 27, 2017. Do you see what I see? Is that a snake slithering down the image? (THEMIS Art #134) More THEMIS Images of the Day by geological topic.

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HiRISE: The Niagara Falls of Mars

Posted on June 26, 2017 by rburnham

Various researchers are often pre-occupied with the quest for flowing water on Mars. However, in this image, we see one of many examples from Mars where lava (when it was molten) behaved in a similar fashion to liquid water. In … Continue reading →

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THEMIS: Frost and south polar trough layers

Posted on June 26, 2017 by rburnham

THEMIS Image of the Day, June 26, 2017. Do you see what I see? Don’t be afraid, but it looks like a ghost! (THEMIS Art #133) More THEMIS Images of the Day by geological topic.

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