The Mars Report - February 13, 2014

            Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe.  Today I have another edition of The Mars Report for you to enjoy. You know what? I think that it is really nice that just when I want to write a Mars Report that the rover Curiosity has done something special! It is not every time, but today that is the case. The last we left off, with Curiosity, we were pointed into the Dingo Gap heading for Mount Sharp.

.

Well, we made it through the gap, and there was something different on the other side. However, before we get to the surprise for this edition, I want to share another discovery that Curiosity made since last we met. We all know that Curiosity is a rock hound, among other roles. Well, Curiosity has scored a great rock find, by the name of Harrison.

.

[caption id="attachment_2366" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Martian Rock Harrison[/caption]

(Martian Rock Harrison)

.

Harrison is a rock with a crystalline surface made up of feldspar crystals in a pyroxene dominated matrix. Harrison is an igneous rock, meaning that it was created from magma, hot lava, rising to the surface and cooling. Harrison was examined by the Chem-Cam as well as the camera that gave us the image just above. This is not the first igneous rock found during Martian exploration. However, it is the largest and nicest looking specimen I have seen, so far.

.

[caption id="attachment_2367" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Curiosity Nav Cam Look Back[/caption]

(Curiosity Looking Back)

.

As you can see, from the picture above, Curiosity has passed over its very first… … … … sand dune! That’s right, My Dear Readers, our little rover, Curiosity, has passed over its very first sand dune on Mars. I was very happy to find this little surprise, waiting for me, when I sorted through the images uploaded since my last visit. I am always looking for something interesting to write about, today Curiosity delivered!

.

[caption id="attachment_2364" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Curiosity Path Looking Back[/caption]

(Color Image of Martian Sand Dune)

.

Above is a color image of the sand dune, behind Curiosity. If you look closely you can see the tire tracks as the come up to the sand dune. Fro the information I read at the NASA/JPL web site, there was some nail biting, as Curiosity traversed this sand dune. Curiosity made it across with no problems whatsoever, and NASA/JPL made sure by running some system checks, once it was past the dune.

.

[caption id="attachment_2363" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Black and White of Curiosity Path Past Dune[/caption]

(Black and White Image Clearly Shows Tracks in Sand Dune)

.

The above captioned image clearly shows Curiosity’s tire tracks in the sand dune it just traversed. This is a great test for the rover Curiosity, and proof positive of the great design and construction of this little rover. If you look in the background, you can see the escarpments that I discussed in the last edition of The Mars Report. I like it when the images fit together that way. It helps me to put together a compelling narrative.

.

So, My Dear Readers, our little rover Curiosity has proved itself, yet again. So far there is nothing that the Martian surface has thrown at our little rover Curiosity, which it hasn’t taken in stride. It is a testament to American design and ingenuity, and a tribute to the men and woman that helped design and construct Curiosity.

.

My Dear Readers, the past three weeks have been difficult, for me. Today, I find myself in terrific pain and discomfort. I really wanted to write some more, I had a whole other topic I wanted to fold into this edition. That is just not going to happen.  I apologize for not pushing through the pain, as I usually do, and producing four or five more pages. I just cannot. I still have to; upload images, Label images, upload text, make corrections, integrate text with images, proof, and publish this story before I can rest today. I am looking at another good two to three hours work.

.

[caption id="attachment_2365" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Moving Images of Curiosity Passing Over Dune[/caption]

.

I hope that all of you, My Dear Readers, have taken a look at the items I have for sale at The Other Shoe eBay Store. Several of the items are closing by 9PM Pacific time, today. Be sure to drop by and take a look. I “Thank you!” to everyone that has come by and bid and/or purchased items. If you do not see anything you would like to purchase, but still would like to help this poor little writer….; get food, pay his bills, or help with rent? Just go over to PayPaland look up Daniel Hanning with an email addy of Enzomatrix@______. That would be me.

.

Again, thank you to everyone that reaches out and helps. I am hoping to keep a roof over my head… and a couple of days with more than a single meal of hot dogs and homemade bread. Thank you!

.

As always I am deeply honored that you come here and read my work.

.

Thank YOU!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="234"] The Other Shoe eBay Store[/caption]

.

[caption id="attachment_2296" align="aligncenter" width="630"] The Other Shoe's Daniel Hanning[/caption]