Tag Archives: NASA

HiRISE: In western Mawrth Vallis

In western Mawrth Vallis. The layered deposits here exhibit strong and diverse spectral signatures of clays. HiRISE Picture of the Day archive. [More at links]

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THEMIS: Faulting in Labeatis Fossae

THEMIS Image of the Day, June 7, 2019. The linear depressions in this VIS image were created by tectonic forces. The sides of the depression are faults. Paired faults will allow the block of material between them to “slide down” … Continue reading

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Curiosity update: A ‘no-touch-and-go’

Sols 2429-30, June 6, 2019, update by MSL scientist Brittney Cooper: The original plan for Sol 2429 involved a “touch-and-go” where the rover would have engaged in contact science (that’s the “touch” portion) followed by a drive (the “go” portion), … Continue reading

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The evolution of Endeavour Crater

[Editor’s note: From a paper by Madison Hughes and five co-authors recently published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.] Degradation of Endeavour Crater Based on Orbital and Rover‐Based Observations in Combination With Landscape Evolution Modeling • Landscape evolution modeling indicates … Continue reading

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Curiosity: Woodland Bay under scrutiny

Sol 2428, June 5, 2019. The right front Hazcam shows the multi-layered outcrop named Woodland Bay getting the close-up treatment by Curiosity’s instrument arm. Click the image to enlarge it. Sol 2428 raw images (from all cameras).

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Mars 2020 helicopter enters final testing phase

NASA’s Mars Helicopter flight demonstration project has passed a number of key tests with flying colors. In 2021, the small, autonomous helicopter will be the first vehicle in history to attempt to establish the viability of heavier-than-air vehicles flying on … Continue reading

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HiRISE: A work of art

A work of art. An impressionist painting? No, it’s a new impact crater that has appeared on the surface of Mars, formed at most between September 2016 and February 2019. What makes this stand out is the darker material exposed … Continue reading

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THEMIS: Frost-free southern polar cap features

THEMIS Image of the Day, June 6, 2019. This VIS image shows part of the south polar cap. The dark bands are troughs. The multiple layers of dust and ice that comprise the polar cap are visible in the trough … Continue reading

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MARCI weather report, May 27-June 2, 2019

There was a slight uptick in dust activity this past week on Mars. The week began with a couple of arcuate-shaped dust storms extending over the retreating seasonal north polar ice cap in Acidalia and Arcadia. Looking to the southern … Continue reading

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Curiosity update: A many-layered plan

Sols 2427-28, June 5, 2019, update by MSL scientist Claire Newman: The main focus of today’s plan was observations of the interbedded thick and thin layers we found at Woodland Bay before we drive away again, perhaps as early as … Continue reading

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