InSight: Send your name to Mars

1-NASA-journey-to-Mars-InsightMars enthusiasts around the world can participate in NASA’s journey to Mars by adding their names to a silicon microchip headed to the Red Planet aboard NASA’s InSight Mars lander, scheduled to launch next year.

“Our next step in the journey to Mars is another fantastic mission to the surface,” said Jim Green, director of planetary science at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “By participating in this opportunity to send your name aboard InSight to the Red Planet, you’re showing that you’re part of that journey and the future of space exploration.”  Submissions will be accepted until Sept. 8. [More at link]

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Curiosity update: ‘Back to restricted planning’

NLB_492839764EDR_F0490814NCAM00354M_Sol 1078-1079, August 14, 2015, update from USGS scientist Ken Herkenhoff: I had an easy planning day as MAHLI/MARDI uplink lead today, because another drive is planned for Sol 1078 with only the usual post-drive MAHLI (stowed) and MARDI (twilight) imaging.  Planning is restricted again (Mars and Earth time are out of sync), so we are planning two sols.  Before driving away from the current location, ChemCam and Mastcam will observe rock targets dubbed “Huson” and “Ignatius” and Mastcam will image another rock called… [More at link]

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HiRISE: Valleys in a crater in Noachis Terra

tumblr_nt8mopmqXD1rlz4gso1_1280Valleys in a crater in Noachis Terra. Beautiful Mars series.

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Curiosity: Light-toned rock, by ChemCam

1077-chemcamSol 1077, August 17, 2015. One of four target rocks imaged by ChemCam this sol.   (Click to enlarge.)

Sol 1077 raw images (from all cameras), and Curiosity’s latest location map.

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THEMIS: Iani Chaos – false color

Scouring in Iani Chaos (THEMIS_IOTD_20150818)THEMIS Image of the Day, August 18, 2015. The THEMIS VIS camera contains 5 filters. The data from different filters can be combined in multiple ways to create a false color image. These false color images may reveal subtle variations of the surface not easily identified in a single band image. Today’s false color image shows Iani Chaos. The material appearing as dark blue is likely sand that has been caught in the surface furrows.

More THEMIS Images of the Day by geological topic.

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Curiosity: Wheels to the left, wheels to the right

1076-wheels-leftSol 1076, August 16, 2015. The Mars Hand Lens Imager swings into action on behalf of mission control, performing a State of the Wheels survey. Click images to load larger versions.

Sol 1076 raw images (from all cameras), and Curiosity’s latest location map.

1076-wheels-right

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Curiosity: Crazy Mountain in color

1074-crazy-mtnSol 1074, August 14, 2015. Using its 100mm lens, the Mastcam captured a 9-frame composite of the Crazy Mountain outcrop. Click to enlarge.

Sol 1074 raw images (from all cameras), and Curiosity’s latest location map.

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HiRISE: Possible chloride salts in Icaria Planum

tumblr_nsukxdRmOH1rlz4gso1_1280Possible chloride salts in Icaria Planum. Beautiful Mars series.

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MOM: 3D portrayals of Ophir Chasma terrain

Picture2The image taken by Mars Colour Camera over Ophir Chasma,a canyon in the Coprates quadrangleof Mars at 4° south latitude and 72.5° west longitude.  The word chasma has been designated by the International Astronomical Union to refer to an elongate, steepsided depression. [More at link]

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THEMIS: Iani Chaos – false color

Tangled terrain in Iani Chaos (THEMIS_IOTD_20150817)THEMIS Image of the Day, August 17, 2015. The THEMIS VIS camera contains 5 filters. The data from different filters can be combined in multiple ways to create a false color image. These false color images may reveal subtle variations of the surface not easily identified in a single band image. Today’s false color image shows part of Iani Chaos.

More THEMIS Images of the Day by geological topic.

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