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- CRISM: Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars
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- THEMIS: Thermal Emission Imaging System
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news
Category Archives: Reports
Curiosity update: Finishing up at Midland Valley
Sol 2338, March 4, 2019, update by MSL scientist Rachel Kronyak: Today we planned Sol 2338 chock full of science activities to finish up our observations at the “Midland Valley” outcrop. We’ll primarily use our Mastcam and ChemCam instruments to … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged Aeolis Mons, CBU, clay-bearing unit, Curiosity, Cuttyhill, Gale Crater, Glen Torridon, Leslie, Longhope, Mars Science Laboratory, Midland Valley, Miller, Milltimber, Mount Sharp, MSL, Murray Formation, NASA
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THEMIS: Terra Sabaea in false color
THEMIS Image of the Day, March 5, 2019. This false-color image is located between Terra Sabaea and Isidis Planitia basin. Blue tones in this band configuration indicate basaltic sands. The sands are more prevalent in the plains at the upper … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged Arizona State University, ASU, basaltic sand, false color, Isidis Planitia, Mars Odyssey, NASA, Terra Sabaea, THEMIS, THEMIS Image of the Day, Thermal Emission Imaging System
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InSight update, Sol 92, by Emily Lakdawalla, The Planetary Society
The mole did hit a rock. Mars could’ve given us a break, but it didn’t. The HP3 mole started hammering itself today, and almost immediately (after just 5 minutes) appears to have encountered a rock. After four hours of hammering, it … Continue reading
HiRISE: The slow charm of brain terrain
You are staring at one of the unsolved mysteries on Mars. This surface texture of interconnected ridges and troughs, referred to as “brain terrain” is found throughout the mid-latitude regions of Mars. (This image is in Protonilus Mensae.) This bizarrely … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged brain terrain, glacial deposits, ground ice, High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, HiRISE, ice, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, MRO, NASA, periglacial processes, periglacial terrain, Protonilus Mensae, University of Arizona
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THEMIS: Acidalia Colles in false color
THEMIS Image of the Day, March 4, 2019. This VIS image shows part of Acidalia Colles. The term colles means hill. Dark blue tones in this band configuration typically identify basaltic sands. This “blue” material is found on the plains, … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged Acidalia Colles, Acidalia Planitia, Arizona State University, ASU, basaltic sand, false color, Mars Odyssey, NASA, periglacial terrain, THEMIS, THEMIS Image of the Day, Thermal Emission Imaging System
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The banded terrain on Mars
Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month, March 1, 2019: Hannes Bernhardt (Arizona State University). An article on the banded terrain cannot be commenced by a traditional definition, as it appears to be a truly singular occurrence in the Solar System. … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged banded terrain, glaciers, Hellas Planitia, periglacial processes, viscous flow features
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HiRISE: Living on the edge
Living on the edge. The rim of this crater looks fairly sharp, meaning it hasn’t degraded too much even though it is likely very old. The exposed, light-toned bedrock is a bonus. HiRISE Picture of the Day archive [More at … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged bedrock, High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, HiPOD, HiRISE, HiRISE Picture of the Day, impact craters, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, MRO, NASA, Terra Cimmeria, University of Arizona
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THEMIS: Near the river
THEMIS Image of the Day, March 1, 2019. This false color image contains several channel features. Towards the top of the image are several stream-lined islands, created by liquid flow eroding preexisting rock. The islands have a tear-drop shape, with … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged Ares Vallis, Arizona State University, ASU, Chryse Planitia, false color, fluvial channels, fluvial landforms, Mars Odyssey, NASA, THEMIS, THEMIS Image of the Day, Thermal Emission Imaging System
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Mars Express: Geological evidence of a global groundwater system
[Ed. note: This research was reported earlier here.] Mars Express has revealed the first geological evidence of a system of ancient interconnected lakes that once lay deep beneath the Red Planet’s surface, five of which may contain minerals crucial to … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged aquifers, basins, ESA, European Space Agency, groundwater, Mars Express, MEX
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Curiosity update: Back in action at Midland Valley
Sol 2333, February 28, 2019, update by MSL scientist Melissa Rice: Curiosity returned to science planning today after a two week hiatus because of a technical issue. Our most recent science plan, described in the blog for Sols 2320-2323, included … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged Aeolis Mons, Alloa, Auchterarder, CBU, clay-bearing unit, Crathes, Curiosity, Curlew, Gale Crater, Gannet, Glen Torridon, Mars Science Laboratory, Midland Valley, Milltimber, Mormond Hill, Motherwell, Mount Keen, Mount Sharp, MSL, Murray Formation, NASA
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