Monthly Archives: July 2018

Curiosity: Looking for a new drill site

Posted on July 31, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 2126, July 30, 2018. Having struck out at two drill sites, Curiosity’s scientists are seeking a new one, sending the rover on a 68-meter (224-foot) drive westward along the ridge top. The Navcam composite above shows the post-drive view … Continue reading →

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NASA: Open-source plans to build your own rover

Posted on July 31, 2018 by rburnham

Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a rover like NASA’s Curiosity rover, part of the Mars Science Laboratory project?  One would rightfully assume it takes expertise in mechanical engineering, software development, and electronics to even begin to … Continue reading →

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Mars hasn’t enough CO2 for terraforming

Posted on July 31, 2018 by rburnham

A new study of the quantity of carbon dioxide on Mars has compiled a planet-wide inventory of the CO2 it holds in all its accessible reservoirs: atmosphere, ice, and locked up in surface carbonate rocks and other potential sources. The … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Continuing to understand Pettegrove Point

Posted on July 31, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 2127, July 31, 2018, update by MSL scientist Christopher Edwards: Curiosity completed its drive successfully after the science team regrouped from the incomplete drill, which required a different than anticipated weekend plan. The rocks of the Vera Rubin Ridge … Continue reading →

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THEMIS: Dunes of Moreux Crater

Posted on July 31, 2018 by rburnham

THEMIS Image of the Day, July 31, 2018. Today’s VIS image shows part of the floor of Moreux Crater. Sand dunes are found in this region of the crater floor. Moreux Crater is located on the northern margin of Terra … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: The bedforms, they are a-changin’

Posted on July 30, 2018 by rburnham

The bedforms, they are a-changin’. This is in Zephyria Planum. Beautiful Mars series. [More at links]

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Curiosity: Zapping Ailsa Craig

Posted on July 30, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 2125, July 29, 2018. Penetrating the rock at Ailsa Craig, like that at Voyageurs, proved to be too difficult for Curiosity’s drill. So mission scientists turned the ChemCam’s laser zapper onto the shallow hole and loose tailings, as the … Continue reading →

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THEMIS: Daedalia Planum crater

Posted on July 30, 2018 by rburnham

THEMIS Image of the Day, July 30, 2018. This VIS image shows part of an unnamed crater on the northwest margin of Daedaia Planum. Lava flows are visible around the crater rim. The interior of the crater has been filled … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: It’s a hard rock life

Posted on July 28, 2018 by rburnham

Sols 2124-26, July 27, 2018, update by MSL scientist Ryan Anderson: Our attempt at drilling the target “Ailsa Craig” was partly successful: the drill behaved exactly as it was supposed to, but unfortunately we weren’t able to drill very deep. … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Cluster of dunes in Tyrrhena Terra

Posted on July 28, 2018 by rburnham

A cluster of dunes within a crater in Tyrrhena Terra. Beautiful Mars series. [More at links]

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