Tag Archives: sand ripples

Curiosity update: ‘In the dunes’

Posted on July 7, 2014 by rburnham

Sols 678-679, July 3-4, 2014, update on Curiosity from U.S. Geological Survey scientist Ryan Anderson: “The sol 678 drive was successful! We traversed 66.5 meters, ending our drive right were we expected near some picturesque wind-blown…” [More at link]

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Curiosity: Sol 676, July 1, 2014

Posted on July 2, 2014 by rburnham

Heading west after a 90° turn following a short drive into a sand ripple, where the wheels started to slip. NASA description: This image was taken by Navcam: Left B (NAV_LEFT_B) onboard NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity on Sol 676 (2014-07-01 17:39:18 … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: ‘Rapid traverse’

Posted on July 2, 2014 by rburnham

Sol 676, July 1, 2014, update on Curiosity from U.S. Geological Survey scientist Ken Herkenhoff: “Last weekend, MSL successfully backed out of the sandy ripple, pausing to image her tracks. So more driving toward Mt. Sharp is planned for… [More at … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Russell Crater dune and gully changes

Posted on July 1, 2014 by rburnham

Changes among the Russell Crater dunes and gullies. Beautiful Mars series.

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Curiosity update: ‘Out of the ellipse’

Posted on July 1, 2014 by rburnham

Sols 673-675, June 27-30, 2014, update on Curiosity from U.S. Geological Survey scientist Ken Herkenhoff: “I’m MAHLI/MARDI uplink lead today, planning Sols 673-675 to get MSL through the weekend. It turned out to be…” [More at link]

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Curiosity: Sol 672, June 27, 2014

Posted on June 27, 2014 by rburnham

Making tracks in reverse through a field of sand ripples, one of many ahead of the rover. NASA description: This image was taken by Front Hazcam: Right B (FHAZ_RIGHT_B) onboard NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity on Sol 672 (2014-06-27 14:58:46 UTC).   … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Dunes and ripples in Olympia Undae

Posted on May 1, 2014 by rburnham

Olympia Undae is a large field of sand dunes surrounding Mars’ North Polar ice cap. Because of the high latitude of the dunes, they are covered with water and carbon dioxide frost in the winter and are poorly illuminated. They … Continue reading →

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HiRISE: Sandstream

Posted on April 15, 2014 by rburnham

Beautiful Mars series. Sandstream. More Beautiful Mars images.

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Blowing sand and moving dunes in Gale Crater

Posted on February 13, 2013 by rburnham

Curiosity, NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory rover, is exploring the floor of Gale Crater. Its main science target, however, is the giant stack of water-altered sediments that make up Mount Sharp, Gale Crater’s central mound. But to reach the mound, the … Continue reading →

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Mars dunes move as much as Earth dunes

Posted on May 10, 2012 by rburnham

Scientists have known for years that Martian sand dunes and ripples move as wind blows over them. But for the most part they thought the motion was small because the atmosphere is thin and high-speed winds are rare. Now new … Continue reading →

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