The Mars Report - July 27th, 2015

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(Veteran NASA Spacecraft Nears 60,000th Lap Around Mars, No Pit Stops)

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                     Welcome back MY Dear Shoevians to The Other Shoe.  Unfortunately I got a bit of a late start, today, on this article. It is currently 2:15 PM PDST and that leaves me in a bit of a rush to publish ‘On Time’ for my Central Timer Zone readers. I found myself engaged in rather heated (one posted asking me to “surrender” in one thread… ROFLOL) exchanges where most ‘gun enthusiasts’ do not respect the rights of the unarmed, over their perceived) right to keep and bear any-and-all arms anywhere and everywhere they desire. Lacking a functional understanding of the English language, I was forced to make an appeal based on wording of the Preamble of the Constitution. . “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility,…” . Right there, the last three words;  “insure domestic tranquility”. None of them, not a single one, ever showed a single regard for our right to domestic tranquility. Nor would they concede that an armed (an likely hopped up on methamphetamines) redneck with an Ak-47 might scare the bejeezeus out of an average American citizen. For all My Dear Shoevians that read from outside America, this is the quagmire that ‘gun enthusiasts’ have created around an inalienable right of the vast majority of the American population. Enough of that, now on with ‘The Mars Report’. . With the late start I, unfortunately, did not have time to put together another ‘Gargantuan’ edition of this series. Instead, today, you will have six images, one video and the accompanying explanation and content. . Our first image appears at the top of the article. This is an artist’s representation of NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft. This June the 23^rd the Odyssey spacecraft made its 60,000^th orbit over the Martian surface. Its orbiting began on October 23^rd, 2001 and on December 15^th, 2010 it became the longest orbiting spacecraft over Mars. My, notorious, last image of this edition was taken by Odyssey. An image will take your breath away. . Now, for our next image of this edition, I give you a July 4^th inspired image from the Curiosity rover. Taken September 19^th, 2012… well I will just post it and talk on the other side.
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Curiosity's Stars and Stripes

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(Curiosity's Stars and Stripes)

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Yes, it is the American Flag! This is an image, taken by Curiosity’s Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), of the American Flag Medallion.  This flag medallion is riveted to the structure of the rover. Not many Americans have seen this medallion; you can now count yourselves among those few. For our next image I have a wonderful and incredible panoramic view taken by the Curiosity rover.
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Panorama from Curiosity's Sol 1000 Location

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(Panorama from Curiosity's Sol 1000 Location)

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 This incredible image was taken on May 30^th, 2015 with the Navigation Camera (Navcam) on Curiosity’s 1,000^th day on the Martian surface! This one image is actually a composite of many dozen independent images taken by the Navcam starting on May 27^th, 2015. My Dear Shoevians, I try my best to give you one of these incredible panoramic images every couple of months. Americans should be very proud of the hard work NASA scientists and support staff do to keep projects, like the Curiosity rover working and developing and producing science and imagery.
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NASA's Curiosity Rover Inspects Unusual Bedrock

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(NASA's Curiosity Rover Inspects Unusual Bedrock)

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This rock outcrop, dubbed "Missoula", by NASA scientists, was discovered near Marias Pass on Mars. Let me take a few moments to break down what appears in this image for you, My Dear Shoevians. This image was taken by the Mars Hand Lens Imager of the Curiosity rover. This target, “Missoula” was unlike anything it had studied before. This rock face contained high amounts of silica. Silica is a combination of silicon and oxygen, commonly known on Earth as Quartz. This is called a ‘Geologic Contact Zone’ due to the meeting of; pale mudstone at the bottom of the outcrop and coarser sandstone at the top of the outcrop. .

“"We found an outcrop named Missoula where the two rock types came together, but it was quite small and close to the ground. We used the robotic arm to capture a dog's-eye view with the MAHLI camera, getting our nose right in there," said Ashwin Vasavada, the mission's project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. MAHLI is short for Mars Hand Lens Imager.”[5]

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 This incredible finding was one of the most recent findings by the Curiosity rover, but one of (what is certain to be) thousands upon thousands of discoveries Curiosity will make in its lifetime on the Martian surface. I am very happy that, while all too many Americans, are preoccupied with guns and wars that a majority of Americans revel in our scientific pursuits and accomplishments. All too often American media only carries the ‘Dark Side’ of America, and Americans. Here, at The Other Shoe, I diligently work to show the world a different and better side of America and Americans.
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  Gale Crater's Surface Materials[

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(Gale Crater's Surface Materials)

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 The image, above, is a mosaic image made from many images taken by the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) on NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter. This is ‘Gale Crater’ the home of the Martian Rover Curiosity. Gale Crater is ninety-six (96) miles in diameter. This image is oriented with ‘top-is-North’. I would try and explain the science behind this image, but I will leave it to a quote from the article accompanying this image. .

“The colors come from an image processing technique that identifies mineral differences in surface materials and displays them in false colors. For example, windblown dust appears pale pink and olivine-rich basalt looks purple. The bright pink on Gale's floor appears due to a mix of basaltic sand and windblown dust. The blue at the summit of Gale's central mound, Mount Sharp, probably comes from local materials exposed there. The typical average Martian surface soil looks grayish-green. Scientists use false-color images such as these to identify places of potential geologic interest.”

  . Next, an homage to the beginnings of ‘The Mars Report’ and one of the very first rover subjects of this article series. More than four years ago, I started writing this article series, when it started I was following two brand new Martian Rovers; Spirit and Opportunity. Unfortunately, two winters ago, we lost Spirit due to a failure of communications. NASA sent commands for Spirit to move to a covered area and to power-down for the Martian Winter. Spirit did not receive the commands, and was left powered up and exposed during a harsh Martian winter season. We have not heard from Spirit again. However, Opportunity just keeps trucking. Operators of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity plan to drive the rover into a valley this month where Opportunity will be active through the long-lived rover's seventh Martian winter, examining outcrops that contain clay minerals. Recently NASA created, and shared, this video. .

(Opportunity Rover's 7th Mars Winter to Include New Study Area)

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 As always, My Dear Shoevians, as is customary I have saved the very best image, for last. Now, I am not so sure just how each blog location will handle this next image. It is very large in size and scope. I will, likely, have to compress it for use on one or more blog locations. However, if you want to see this image in its original size and scope? Just go to the bottom of the page and click on the corresponding footnote link. That will take you to the NASA/JPL web site page that featured this image. I always do my best to LINK material so that I am not plagiarizing material and so that the real people behind these great images get their due credit. Now, without further adieu, I give you ‘Morning Clouds Atop Martian Mountain’. 
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Morning Clouds Atop Martian Mountain[/caption]

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(Morning Clouds Atop Martian Mountain)

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 Taken with the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) on NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter this image shows clouds gather in the summit pit, or caldera, of Pavonis Mons, a giant volcano on Mars. This image was taken shortly after the Martian dawn. The clouds are mostly made up of ice crystals. They appear blue, in the image, because the structure of the crystals reflect blue light more strongly than other colors. This image was made by THEMIS through three of its visual-light filters plus a near-infrared filter, and it is approximately true in color. In other words, this image is not ‘false color’ for our viewing. If you were in orbit, over the Martian surface, you could look out a window and this is exactly how it would appear to you, My Dear Shoevians. . That brings us to the end of this edition of ‘The Mars Report’. As always, My Dear Shoevians, it has been my pleasure to bring this article, these images, and the science and discoveries right to your browser. In hopes that many peoples, from all over the world, get a better and more informed view of America and Americans. We are not all about ‘guns’ and ‘war’. As a matter of fact, a majority of Americans seek a more peaceful nation and world in which to live and raise our children. That view, of America and Americans, is not always featured… even in our own journalism. . Each and every week, that I am physically able and with less pain, I will work to bring you more and more; science, nature, space, Mars, news, and even some Young Adult Fiction. It is my hope, and dream, to be a small part of a broader understanding of America and Americans… and what we can do for the benefit of all mankind. 
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Adieu!
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Thank you! .

Danny Hanning Writer, Editor, Research Staff and Publisher at The Other Shoe 

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© 2010 – 2015 Hanning Web Wurx and The Other Shoe

 [1] http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/veteran-nasa-spacecraft-nears-60000th-lap-around-mars-o-pit-stops  
[2] http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/pia15882.html  
[3] http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/msl/pia19679/panorama-from-curiositys-sol-1000-location
[4] http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/msl/nasas-curiosity-rover-inspects-unusual-bedrock
[5] http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/msl/nasas-curiosity-rover-inspects-unusual-bedrock
[6] http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/gale-craters-surface-materials
[7] http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/morning-clouds-atop-martian-mountain

Returning to The Other Shoe

[caption id="attachment_3778" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Danny Rolling Hills Estates - November 2014[/caption]

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                                   Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. It has been three weeks since my last publication. Just like the old saying goes; my mind and heart are willing, but the flesh is weak. Today, well it has been a little over two weeks since my last chemo, I am feeling able to write and publish. My next chemo is a week from Wednesday, December 17^th. That will be my last chemo, this year.

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My Dear Readers it has been my intention to get back into the swing of publishing on a regular basis. The (harsh) reality is? I will be unable to meet my previous publication schedule while I am in chemo. Once this round of chemo is complete, I am hopeful that I will be able to return to a regular full schedule of publications. That is barring any unforeseen complications post chemo. I have no intention of abandoning this blog, or my writing, anytime soon.

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The Martian rover, Curiosity, is still working making new discoveries. Therefore, ‘The Mars Report’ will return and continue. I still enjoy discovering and researching “News from Around the World” assuring the continuation of the article series of the same name. I still enjoy PC & console gaming, assuring the continuation of ‘MMORPG’s and YOU!’. Timmy and Archer still live in my heart, and often (still) play in my mind. YES! I hard really hoped to have their first story complete… this year. However, I have continued adding plot lines, character development, and tie-ins for future publications.

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I can tell you one (SPOILER ALERT!) fact about; Timmy, Archer and Smithville. They (all) will be the setting for a second story… this time set at Christmas! Yes, so you My Dear Readers can see just why I really wanted to finish my first story… so I could start sharing excerpts of the upcoming second book… just in time for Christmas! Not going to tell you, My Dear Readers, anymore than that… don’t want to spoil the end of my current story.

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This week I hope to write and publish a current edition of ‘The Mars Report’. I have, already, researched Curiosity’s recent endeavors and discoveries and there is a good deal to share and report. As well, I think that (if I am up to it) there will be another edition of ‘News from Around the World’ released later in the week. I have just one appointment, this week, then chemo starts next week.

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For EVERYONE that keeps dropping by…. EVERYONE that kept visiting and reading? THANK YOU! It is very encouraging to see traffic reports that show… many of you, My Dear Readers, just keep coming and reading and sharing and enjoying The Other Shoe. It is my heartfelt desire to make your visits… worthwhile. To reward all of you, My Dear Readers, for your support and patronage.

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In closing, I will do my very best to write and publish as much as I am able. Do my very best to publish as often and as regularly as my health and flesh allow. I do miss writing… publishing and seeing the comments and ‘Like’(s) and Shares from all of you, My Dearest Readers. Most of all… I just want to get back to doing that which I can… to continue to contribute… in the only way I have left to me.

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Adieu!

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Thank you!

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[caption id="attachment_3777" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Danny in Rolling Hills Estates - Rancho Palos Verdes - PV Medical Group Noember 2014[/caption]

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© 2010 – 2014 Hanning Web Wurx and The Other Shoe

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A Week in Review - July 19th 2014

        Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. If it is Saturday, it is time for ‘A Week in Review’ at The Other Shoe! First, I am still having problems with my primary blog location at Blog Dot Com. If you go to the site and experience errors, 502, ‘Bad Gateway’, or the like just please refresh the page and it should appear. I am continuing to write and ask for technical support. Next, due to failing health, and the corresponding depression, this week was a little shy on publications.

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[caption id="attachment_3247" align="aligncenter" width="630"] 502 - Bad Gateway Error[/caption]

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Including today’s article I will have brought five articles to you, My Dear Readers, in seven days. That is not bad, but it is far from what I am used to bringing to you, and what I expect of myself. Granted, My Dear Readers, that in the past seven days? I have taught myself some of the basics of animation! As you will see, in this review of this week, I have ventured into an all new medium!

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Starting, this week, I have added animation to The Other Shoe! Granted for right now my work product has been limited to creating logos for one of the most popular article series. Hopefully, in the near future, I will add ‘Sunday Funnies’ that is an animation that I have done all by myself! You see, My Dear Readers, I am always looking for ways to improve the blog, entertain you more, and really make a go of this blog and my writing and publications.

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Animation has always fascinated me, and today that is just as true as when I was a boy. Now that I have access to a software program, that helps and tutorials, I am finding that the art of animation is not really all that daunting! It is time consuming, most of all. Whereas I can write, and publish, written word in one day? Creating, executing and publishing an animation can take up, and exceeding, a week for just a matter of a few minutes.

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Finally, I had promised to publish two episodes of ‘The Horror in Smithville’ this week, when I published the ‘Missing Chapters’ on Thursday. I apologize that when push came to shove I was unable to publish the two episodes that I promised. For that I deeply apologize. I will work hard to see if I can make that happen, this week. However, Tuesday I am scheduled to see (at least one) doctor to review the results of the C.T. Scan I had done last week.

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Honestly, just how much I manage to accomplish will (greatly) depend on if I get ‘Good News’ or ‘Bad News’. Sorry! I do not expect to publish on Tuesday, as getting to my doctor’s appointment(s) usually shoots a whole day. However, I will try to make sure I have more content, for you My Dear Readers, this week. Thank you for your understanding and support through this difficult time.

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Now, without further adieu I give you ‘A Week in Review’!

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• A Week in Review – 500th Articles A Week’s Celebration! : “So I decided to write an edition of ‘A Week in Review’ to cover the week of celebratory articles for the publication of my FIVE HUNDREDTH ARTICLE! Yeah, I am very proud to have reached this milestone in publication. I do not know of many other people that have written and published over five hundred articles… much les in just four short years. IT was my pride that pushed me to write so very much last week. I am pretty certain that the push to publish is the reason for my woes.” I really am hoping that the lower, than expected and ‘normal’, traffic numbers are more to do with the problems with the web site and Blog Dot Com than… with me. I really am pushing myself… writing when I am in pain and working just as hard as my body allows. Granted, the depression has become rather crushing… as of late. However, I am hoping the Tuesday has ‘Good News’ that will chase away these storm clouds and give me a more ‘sunny’ disposition!


• Daniel Hanning Breaks into an All NEW Medium! : “Over the past several days I have been teaching myself… … … (drum roll, please!) ANIMATION! That’s right, over the past several days I have been working to learn the basics of Animation! I have struggled, over the past several weeks, over just what I could add to The Other Shoe? Add so that I might drive more traffic to my site. The other day I was talking with a good friend and they asked me…” “Danny what can you add to the blog that you ENJOY and might drive more traffic?” ANIMATION! Well, it didn’t happen exactly like that… but it was close! Regardless, here I am presenting (in this article) my work product from a week of; reading, watching tutorial videos, experimenting, and ‘getting my feet wet’ in the world of animation! Already I can tell you, My Dear Readers, animation is something that I will work with… dabble in and play with for the rest of my life! This week, alone, has shown that I can ‘do’ animation, that I enjoy working with animation, and that I will be able to find a way to work it into my articles and publications at The Other Shoe! SCORE!


• The Mars Report – July 16th 2014 : “Now, for the first share of this edition, we are rapidly approaching the Second Anniversary of Curiosity on the Martian surface. That anniversary will happen on August 6^th, 2014. So, we are just a few weeks away from that celebration. Before we get to that day, I thought that I might share a little overview of the First Year of Curiosity on Mars. Below is a video, that NASA/JPL made, that is a great overview of the very first year of Curiosity on the Martian surface.” Well, My Dear Readers, this was an extra-special edition of ‘The Mars Report’! Not only was I able to share the ‘Special’ commemorative video, by NASA/JPL, used to mark/celebrate Curiosity’s First Year on Mars? I was, also, able to share images of Curiosity’s discovery (its first) of a meteorite on Mars! As if that is not enough? I also included the very first complete mapping of the Martian surface by the USGS! This map is the very first of its kind and a real find for me and this blog. Over the next two weeks I am hoping to share a lot more from Curiosity to help celebrate its Second year of exploration on the Martian surface!


• The Horror in Smithville – The ‘Missing’ Chapters! : “Now today I am not breaking with that publication schedule, but I am shaking things up a little. Today I am going to publish… a missing chapter of ‘The Horror in Smithville’. Missing in that when I, originally, wrote parts two and three I had not yet imagined just how I was going to create the conflict I needed. Since that time I have figured out just how to create the desired effect in my story. That has resulted in me writing two (or more) chapters that, actually, come earlier than we currently find ourselves!” Honestly? My Dear Readers, this is really pretty exciting, for me. I am doing… something that is completely out of the ‘norm’ for a writer, or a publisher. By adding these ‘Missing Chapters’ WHILE we are still enjoying the ride? (We are about half-way through this novel) I am adding; a whole new character… well, rather, promoting a background character to one with his own plot line, character development, and iatrical role in the main story line. This is what I am talking about, I have never witnessed an author actually try something like this… like, ever before! Thing of it is? If this works… is well received, then I have TWO more characters that I would just LOVE to do this same exercise, with. This, for me as a writer and publisher, is really exciting. I hope that everyone that is enjoying ‘The Horror in Smithville’ gets a chance to read ALL of these ’Missing Chapters’!

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Well, My Dear Readers, that brings us to the end of a very short publication week, and a very long week in reality. Now I need to start getting together had copies of images from my scan, put together the clothes that I will wear, call and order my transportation, and generally get ‘ready’ for my doctor’s visit this Tuesday. From what I was told I will be ‘seeing’ two doctors this Tuesday.

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I will see my ‘Infectious Disease’ specialist and I will, also, have a visit with my ‘Oncologist’. It is the latter that gives me pause, and the reason I am not sleeping. You know, My Dear Readers, I forgot how writing takes my mind off of these woes! While I have writing I haven’t given as much thought… well, except for writing about it every other paragraph… lol.

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Anyways, I really hope that I can get the time… make the time to write and publish editions of; ‘Lost in Space’, ‘The Mars Report’, ‘News from Around the World’ (BOY there is no shortage of that right now, eh?), and ‘The Horror in Smithville’ this week. I want you all to know that I am going to do everything that I can to present these regular articles to you, this week.

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Let me back up, a bit. I added a day of ‘The Horror in Smithville’ for one very good reason. When I got past the thirty or so pages I have ready to publish, I realized that I had totally left out; a character progression, a plot line addition, and a little bit of ‘drity business’ that… well, is very important to the story going ahead. Rather than just bluff my way through and ignore the consequences?

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I decided it would be best if I did my best to integrate the ‘Missing Chapters’ into my weekly publication schedule. That would give all of you more of the story to read, and give me a way to bring the whole picture to life! It is a great idea, if I say so myself, the problem was I had failed to anticipate my failing health… the problems with the blog… and that irritating little distraction called depression. Lol.

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My Dear Readers, I will do my best to bring you the two episodes of ‘The Horror in Smithville’ that I have promised. I just know that, once it is published, you will just love what I am adding to the story line. Further, we all get to know another character in Smithville! Well, that brings us to the end of this week’s publications… and the end of the week.

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I hope that everyone had a great and productive week. I look forward to seeing you, My Dear Readers, here next week! Until then…

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!
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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="234"] PLEASE shop at The Other Shoe eBay Store![/caption]

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http://www.ebay.com/usr/enzomatrixlt

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[caption id="attachment_2866" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Danny Hanning of The Other Shoe - May 6th, 2014[/caption]

 

The Mars Report - April 14th 2014

                  Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Well, since I last published about Mars, April 7^th, there has been some hubbub about… well, a light… on… Mars! Yes, as on can well imagine, this had the blogo’sphere burning daylight. ‘An independent light source seen on Mars!’ Had very nutcase and shut-in burning up their ISPs with radical ideas about its source, and reason. My Dear Readers, if that is the ‘kind of’ blogging you are looking for… then this is not the place for you. Please exit stage left…

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However, if you want the scientific explanation, then you have arrived at the correct blog. First, let’s get all the anticipation out of the way. Below is one of the images that has raised all the fuss.

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[caption id="attachment_2714" align="aligncenter" width="630"] First Martian Image with Light source[/caption]

(First Martian Image with Light source)

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Now, from the left eye camera, within seconds of the image above, there is no light source.

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[caption id="attachment_2717" align="aligncenter" width="630"] SAME Spot Left EYE within one second[/caption]

(SAME Spot Left EYE within one second)

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Anyone with experience with photography will understand; if it is does not appear in both camera images… at the same time. Then it is likely not a ‘Martian trying to signal our rover’. More likely thatn not, what we have here is a very shiny natural source somewhere in the foothills of Mount Sharp. A rock surface with a very shiny surface which, when viewed at this spot from a very particular angle reflects in a camera lens. It is quite likely that, if there were humans there, they might very well not see this reflection.

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Further proof of what (and NASA) have proffered as an answer, is the image below?

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“A pair of Navcam images in the same direction from the previous afternoon has a bright spot similarly located in the right-eye image.”[1]

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[caption id="attachment_2716" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Same camera previous afternoon[/caption]

(Same camera previous afternoon)

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At least for me, this is more proof that what we are witness, is nothing more than a lens flare. If you have ever had photography as a hobby, and made either rock concerts or landscapes your forte then you will have been exposed to (even lost great images, too) lens flares. Below is our final image in this conversation. I have taken the liberty to copy and paste the text from NASA.

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“This image from the Navigation Camera (Navcam) on NASA's Curiosity Mars rover includes a bright spot near the upper left corner. The sun is in the same direction, west-northwest, above the frame. Bright spots appear in images from the rover nearly every week. Typical explanations for them are cosmic rays hitting the light detector or sunlight glinting from rocks.”[2]

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[caption id="attachment_2720" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Bright Spot Toward Sun in Image from NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover[/caption]

(Bright Spot Toward Sun in Image from NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover)

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So, for me at least, this puts this whole matter to bed. However, If sometime in the future… by some galactic fluke, these images crop up in the news again. I will take the time to address them… again. Honestly, there is so much ‘good science’ happening with the “Mars Science Laboratory – Rover Curiosity’ that all this is a merely a distraction. ‘Good Thing’? These images brought Curiosity, and the science NASA is involved, on the Martian surfaceinto the view of the public. Like the old saw ‘Any exposure is good exposure’.

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Sitting here, and putting this article together, I thought to myself… ‘I would certainly be remiss to just publish about this lark…’ Looking at the published images (refined, categorized and ready for press release) there really isn’t anything new since my last edition of ‘The Mars Report’. Honest, I looked at several of the sites.

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Now, I do not wish to be remembered as ‘that guy who never went the extra mile…’ So, I have managed to put together some images I had taken a pass on, before, that have real scientific merit. For all of My Dear Readers? Those wonderful regulars that come often and stay long? I am writing this Sunday afternoon at 6PM, long after the publication of ‘A Week in Review’. This week promises to be very busy and I am working to get ahead of the curve.

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Our next image is the strongest evidence, so far, NASA/JPL has found of flowing liquid water on Mars. Now, for science junkies and the like, this a majorly important image. Rather than work to paraphrase what NASA/JPL has released with this image. Let me present to you their words, exactly as presented with this image.

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“The outcrop characteristics are consistent with a sedimentary conglomerate, or a rock that was formed by the deposition of water and is composed of many smaller rounded rocks cemented together. Water transport is the only process capable of producing the rounded shape of clasts of this size.”[3]

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Sounds reasonable to me, how about you? Now, let me share the image they wrote about.

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[caption id="attachment_2715" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Link to a Watery Past[/caption]

(Link to a Watery Past)

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Since we are on the topic of fluid water on the Martian surface, let me bring you another image as evidence. In an outcrop called Shaler’. In the Yellowknife Bay of area of Mars’ Gale Crater this outcrop was found. In this image we see inclined layering called ‘cross-bedding’. This only occurs as the result of passing fluid water and is indicative of sediment-transport in stream flows. Thus adding to the growing scientific evidence that fluid water once flowed on the Martian surface. Me thinks that it is surprising (and also rather revealing) that science like this does not make the news… yet lens flares, somehow, do. What curious creatures we American humans, are. Yes?

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[caption id="attachment_2718" align="aligncenter" width="630"] 'Shaler' Unit's Evidence of Stream Flow[/caption]

('Shaler' Unit's Evidence of Stream Flow )

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Week, before last, I ended this series with an image of the Earth from Mars. I am always working to keep things in perspective. How small our planet is, when view from the Martian surface. It gives me pause, and should serve as food for thought. Tonight, I bring you yet another image of perspective. In this image, if enlarged enough, one can see our Earth and the moon from the Martian surface.[4]

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[caption id="attachment_2713" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Earth and our Moon from Mars[/caption]

(Earth and our Moon from Mars)

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With that, we come to this week’s edition of ‘The Mars Report’. I really do enjoy bringing this series, and these images, to you My Dear Readers. I can only hope that they, and I, have brought some wonder and even joy… to you.

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!

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P.S. Just a little FYI for all of you, My Dear Readers. ‘The Mars Report’ has become the #1-article aeries here at The Other Shoe. Last week’s edition gathered 31 ‘Likes’ in less than one week! Be a part of the phenomenon and be sure to ‘Like’ this edition, too. I must admit… when I started this blog… I never imagined I would be publishing two weekly series looking to the stars. Thank you!

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

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[caption id="attachment_2296" align="aligncenter" width="630"] The Other Shoe's Daniel Hanning 2/2014[/caption]

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[1]http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=6135

[2]http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=6135

[3]http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=4719

[4]http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA17936-MAIN-evening_star_annotated-br2.jpg

Coming This Week, to The Other Shoe - April 6th, 2014

 

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[caption id="attachment_2516" align="aligncenter" width="332"] Daneil Hanning of The Other Shoe 2001[/caption]

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             Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. As well, welcome to this the third edition of what is now a regular here, 'Coming This Week'. It is in this series I preview the articles to come in the following week. Now, My Dear Readers, I am just coming off one of the single most prolific week's in recent memory, here at The Other Shoe. With the publication of nine articles, in just seven days, last week. I have my sincere doubts of my ability to produce nine articles this week, too.

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How does that old saying go; 'The mind is willing, the flesh is weak'. That is very much the case for me, and this coming week. Just reviewing my sourcesfor material. I can quickly see that I will have sufficient materials for; 'The Mars Report' and 'Lost in Space'. A quick visit to NASA and JPL shows that Curiosity has delivered so fresh images for your review. Already late, here today... Sunday, I am tempted to engage in beginning day after tomorrow (Monday's) edition of 'The Mars Report'. 

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Curiosity has reached the approach to its next way point; 'The Kimberly. As well, I am not sure if you saw this in the news. Mars is the closest, to the Earth, that it has been in over two years. For the next several days, even with your bare eyes, we will be treated to some of the best views of Mars in years .

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The distance between our Earth and our sister planet, Mars, can be as much as 250 million miles. However, starting on the 8^thof this April Mars will approach Earth and only be 56 million miles away. That is, roughly, 1/5^th the distance for the next few days. For all of us in the Northern hemisphere you can find Mars, just after dusk, hanging close to the Moon. For more on this event, and how and when it is best to view, be sure to check out 'The Mars Report' on Monday.

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You can look forward to an all new edition of 'Lost in Space' for your reading pleasure. Form just a cursory search of potential images, I have found several that are just as spectacular, and maybe even more. As always, I will include background information, some of the science involved, and links to all the sources and more. I really have fallen in love, with this series of articles, and writing and publishing brings me great joy.

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This coming week will bring us yet another edition of 'The Deep Web' for your edification and review. I am hoping to have made the time, and effort, to nail down everything you need to know to create a 'Virtual Machine' on your Windows computer. By creating a virtual machine you create a whole new shell between your computer and the 'Black Hats' that there dewll.

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Coming to the end of next week, already, you can look forward to more thrills and chills with the publication of the Second Half of Part Four. Part Four of 'The Horror in Smithville', which I hope to conclude, will take up just where we left off with the boys; Timmy and Archer. After falling asleep way too early, the found themselves sharing a dream. A dream that brought them terror, and fears they did not know. Unsuspecting, they will climb back in bed. Shut their eyes and retire, with visions of Blueberry cobbler in their heads. It will not be sweets, that they encounter once asleep. I will not share spoilers, I will just say. Their night of terror, and horror, has only just begun!

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Well, My Dear Readers, that brings us fully round. Another week of fine reading, only here at The Other Shoe, is to be found. Now, all I ask, in return for these fine works, is that you PLEASE SHARE what you have found. Share with family, share with friends. Share with co-workers and In-Laws, both favored and not. Share with church goers, and neighbors... and even strangers around. For all that I do, all that I research, all that I download and upload. For all that I write and edit and, finally, publish for you.

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I only ask that you make it well known, that my work... you do enjoy. I am trying, so very hard indeed, to grow my readership from just me and just you. This past week, for the very first time ever. I saw my visitor counter go up to 59! That is the highest I have ever seen, this counter to show. Now, I am afraid, I am possessed to see if we can do better in the weeks to come. I would give just anything, for this counter to show, One HUNDERED visitors to The Other Shoe they did come. This goal, I am afraid, cannot be met by just me... and you.

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I will tell you quite honestly, that the world it would mean to me, for this counter to venture closer to triple digits. With my health failing, my pain increasing great happiness it would bring. To think that 100 readers, I did bring. So, I beseech of you, My Dear Readers, to assist if you will. In a tiny competition, this week, for most visitors I will.

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And, with those words and that challenge, I leave you this day. This preview of coming entertainment and images, I hope you enjoyed. Thank you for your time, and you efforts. I hope to see you, again, soon.

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

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Thank YOU!

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[caption id="attachment_2296" align="aligncenter" width="630"] The Other Shoe's Daniel Hanning 2/2014[/caption]

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.

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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.

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

(Martian Rock Harrison)

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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.

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

(Curiosity Looking Back)

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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!

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

(Color Image of Martian Sand Dune)

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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.

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[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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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!

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

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Thank YOU!

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

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

 

350th Article at The Other Shoe - Part Five

[caption id="attachment_671" align="aligncenter" width="630"] RAW/Natural/White Balanced image from Curiosity[/caption]

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Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. This is Part Five of the series of article celebrating my 350^th article here at The Other Shoe. Now, My Dear Readers, I have taken you back to the very beginnings of this love of mine, The Other Shoe. I have shared retrospect of several of the successful series I have published over the years. Today, I am devoting this Part Five to a look back over the series The Mars Report.

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Started the day of (or the day after) Curiosity made a soft-landing on the surface of Mars at Bradbury Point. I published over a dozen articles of The Mars Report. On October 4^th, 1957 Sputnik was launched from the former U.S.S.R. and, just weeks later Daniel Hanning was born. I am, quite literally, a child of the ‘Space Age’.

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My curiosity for all things space and extraterrestrial I have had an unquenchable thirst. The Mars Report was a natural extension of that unquenchable thirst and a tall glass of relief, too. Since my reading of ‘The Martian Chronicles’ (by Ray Bradbury – Namesake of the landing zone of the rover Curiosity on Mars) I have viewed Mars through deeply curious eyes. We now know that liquid water flowed on the surface of Mars.

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The presence of liquid water tells us that, at some point in the past, Mars had an atmosphere. Of all the extraterrestrial bodies, in our solar system, Mars is the best candidate for Terraforming. That the moon may be mankind’s first celestial body/space, that Mars is the only logical starting point for any travel outside our solar system. Regardless of mankind’s ability to see, today, the eventual role Mars will play in our evolution. Mars will be a huge stepping-stone from which mankind will launch himself into the stars.

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Today, with this Part Five of the celebratory series of articles for the 350^th publication here at The Other Shoe. I chose to highlight The Mars Report series of articles. Therefore, without further adieu, I bring you a short history of my scientific series The Mars Report!

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[caption id="attachment_28" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Curiosity Lowered By 'Sky Crane' to Martian Surface[/caption]

• Curiosity’s First Images from Mars : “This Saturday (August 5th, 2012) NASA and JPL reached the climax of the current Mars Lander/rover project, Curiosity. I was watching, on JPL web TV as the ‘Seven Minutes of Terror’ culminated with America putting the largest and most sophisticated rover on the surface of Mars. The one ton Curiosity has its own; nuclear reactor, laser drill, 20″ tires, and ten scientific instruments and High Definition cameras. Just released today, 3D images coming from Curiosity. Looking at them, I think we will all need to dig up our ‘Red/Blue’ 3D glasses to enjoy these gems.” This article is the beginning of The Mars Report. It was not until later in the series that I ‘landed’ (pun, intended) on the current title for the series; The Mars Report. I really did sit and watch, via internet broadcast on the JPL Web site, the Mars Lander successfully place Curiosity on the Martian surface @ Bradbury Point. Curiosity represented the single heaviest non-human payload ever deposited on extraterrestrial soil. They accomplished this task with the very first use of a ‘Sky Crane’ that hovered over the landing site and slowly lowered the Curiosity package to a successful soft-landing. I think I might have held my breath the majority of the ‘Seven Minutes of Terror’ along with the staff/crew at JPL. The successful accomplishment of this task has opened huge vista of exploration for NASA/JPL, and mankind. After witnessing the landing… I just knew that I had to write about the adventure Curiosity had just embarked. I had to involve and inform you, My Dear Readers, of this Herculean effort and journey. I am write happy I did.

[caption id="attachment_247" align="aligncenter" width="630"] This is a self portrait of the mast of the Curiosity rover.[/caption]

• Curiosity Update – The Mars Report – September 1st 2012: “This is our first ‘The Mars Report’ for the month of September, 2012. Since I wrote, last, the rover has moved! Yes, Curiosity has moved from the landing zone and is starting the longest journey of any extraterritorial vehicle in the history of mankind. If Spirit and Opportunity are good examples, we will be seeing Curiosity roving and taking samples and pictures in 2020. Curiosity has his own nuclear power plant and supplemental solar power, too. So, I am sitting here and looking at the images that I have uploaded for today’s article, trying to figure out which I should lead with, what image comes first? The ‘Vanity’ shot, of course! Here is an image, from the Curiosity rover, showing the tracks it has made in the Martian soil. You can clearly see the robotic arm, in the foreground, with Curiosity’s name.” This is, like, the second or third of this series. It is the first edition where I have panoramic (HD) images to post with the article. I have started to incorporate more and more of the information from the NASA/JPL web site into the descriptions of the images. Basically, I am honing my work and improving the quality of the articles in this series. Now, I am a long way from the level of work I am publishing now. However, already I am seeing that The Mars Report has the ability to drive a lot of traffic to my blog. That is welcome news, at this point, as I am (at the time of it first publication) I was working hard to raise the funds I needed for my power chair. I really do wish I could repeat that success, now. I would really like to eat on a regular basis.

[caption id="attachment_682" align="aligncenter" width="630"] On Sol 84 (Oct. 31, 2012), NASA's Curiosity rover used the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) to capture this set of 55 high-resolution images, which were stitched together to create this full-color self-portrait.[/caption]

• Mid-May The Mars Report: “Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to the Mid-May edition of The Mars Report here @ The Other Shoe. It is a genuine pleasure to bring you this edition of The Mars Report. Reason? This is a special edition devoted to panoramic shots of the surface of Mars! This article has NO: rocks, drilled holes, tire tracks or self-portraits (well… maybe just one shot of the rover Curiosity… Have to give her props for what she does!). So without further adieu I bring you the plains and mountain of our sister planet, Mars.” At the time of the publication of this article, Curiosity had found its way out onto open areas. This allowed for huge panoramic views from the mast camera and I spared no time sharing these breath-taking views with you, My Dear Readers. This article was the very first to include a self-portrait of/by Curiosity. This series was getting better with every edition, and I was all too happy to see the corresponding increases in traffic.

[caption id="attachment_146" align="aligncenter" width="630"] This is a High Definition Panorama of the Martian horizon from Curiosity in the shadow of Mount Sharp.[/caption]

• The Mars Report in 3D! : “Welcome, My Dear Readers, to the 3D issue of The Mars Report here @ The Other Shoe. This entire issue will contain nothing but three-dimensional images from curiosity on Mars. I have wanted to bring a three-dimensional issue to you, My Dear Readers, but until this week the NASA JPL website just did not have enough images. That situation changed this week.” This edition of The Mars Report was my very first 3-D publication. I explained what kind of glasses you needed to find/use to see the images in full three-dimensions. The article received a fair amount of traffic and 19 ‘Like’s. I did not repeat this type of article. I was concerned that you, My Dear Readers, might have difficulty finding the right type of 3D glasses to full enjoy the technology. This article shows the creativity and joy that writing and publishing this series brought me. I continued to publish this series, up until my health became more of an issue… and a hindrance.

[caption id="attachment_2264" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Mars Rover Looks For Route via Dingo Gap[/caption]

• The Mars Report – January 30, 2014 : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today I am ushering in the return of one of Today I am ushering in the return of one of my favorite series of articles; The Mars Report. I remember when I announced, right here at The Other Shoe, that the rover Curiosity had successfully landed on the surface of Mars. That was more than 500 days ago, and now I bring you the most up-to-date news from Curiosity and Mars.” This issue of The Mars Report signals the, hopeful, return of this series to The Other Shoe. Curiosity has traveled a great distance, since last we checked in on the rover. We are no approaching the ‘Dingo Gap’ looking for the safest approach to Mount Sharp. In the images included in this issue you can clearly see the foothills (of Mount Sharp) in the background. The panoramic images are still breath-taking and a real draw. I hope that I can continue to update this series on a regular basis, and bring all of us more and more news from the Martian Surface.

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That brings us to the end of this, Part Five of ‘350^th Article at The Other Shoe. I am working on bringing you the Conclusion of this celebratory series, this weekend. I will bring together all the content from all five of the series in a way that showcases the very best of my blog’s first 350 articles and four years.

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I am hoping that my health holds out, until I am finished with this review. Next week, on Tuesday, I have an all day adventure of, going to see my primary care doctor. This adventure starts at 7AM and I get home around 8PM. I will not be posting on Tuesday February 4^th, 2014. That doesn’t mean that you cannot look over all the great work I have published over the past two weeks. Nor does it mean that you can’t surprise me by… well, lending a hand! My wouldn’t it be wonderful to come home and discover I had the resources to actually dine out!

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My Dear Readers, I consider it a responsibility as well as a joy to write and publish for your entertainment and education. I will always work just as hard as my body and pain allows. I hope that you have enjoyed this retrospect of The Mars Report and I look forward to bringing more of the Martian adventure to you, soon.

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

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Thank YOU!

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[caption id="attachment_1812" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Just a shot of a VERY thankful Danny in His Power Chair[/caption]

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

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The Other Shoe eBay Store