The Mars Report - A Decade of Opportunity on Mars

[caption id="attachment_2760" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Self-Portrait by Freshly Cleaned Opportunity Mars Rover, False Color[/caption]

(Self Portrait Opportunity March 2014)

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Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today I am pleased to present a short review of a decade of images from the Mars rover, Opportunity. Launched in July of 2003 and landing on the surface of Mars January 2004, both the Opportunity and Spirit rovers have produced images and science, consistently, for the past ten years. NASA/JPL have proved, beyond any doubt, that they can design, build, launch and guide scientific platforms like no other country on earth.

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Today, I am going to start with the Opportunity rover launched on July 3^rd, 2003. Opportunity landed, on the Martian surface, on January 24^th, 2004 at Meridiani Planum. Opportunity is still roving and still sending incredible images, and making scientific discoveries. Granted, today the rover Curiosity overshadows these twin rovers… even here at The Other Shoe.

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Our first image is a selfie of Opportunity right before, and after, windstorms cleaned Opportunity. This image was kind of large, I did my best to reduce the size, without damaging the detail or look of this great image.

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[caption id="attachment_2752" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Before and After Cleaning of Opportunity by Wind Storms[/caption]

(Before and After Cleaning of Opportunity by Wind Storms)

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But, I get ahead of myself. Let me take us all the way back to the day Opportunity landed in the Meridiani Planum on Mars. Below is an image, taken by Opportunity, directly after leaving the ‘nest’. Unlike Curiosity, Opportunity and Spirit landed in huge ‘air bag’ landing devices. Once in the Martian atmosphere the rover package was jettisoned and air bags, surrounding the rover(s), deployed. They rolled until all the inertia was dissipated. Once halted, the air bags deflated and the rovers rolled out on to the Martian surface. Directly below is the ‘nest’ of air bags left behind by the Martian rover Opportunity.

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[caption id="attachment_2758" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Opportunity's Empty Nest[/caption]

(Opportunity's Empty Nest)

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Our next iamge was taken via the PanCam (Panoramic Camera). This image shows ‘Botany Bay’ in the foreground and ‘Solander Point’ in the background. Botany Bay is a topographic saddle that shows exposed sedimentary rocks making up the ‘Burns Formation’. The ‘Burns Formation’ was explored and imaged earlier in the Opportunity mission.

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[caption id="attachment_2753" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Opportunity Annotated Solander Point[/caption]

(Opportunity Annotated Solander Point)

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Our next image looks like a field of blueberries, on the surface of Mars. Wouldn’t it be amazing to find blueberries on Mars? That not being the case, what we actually have is a field of hematite-rich spherules, which appear blue. This image was taken by the Opportunity rover in Eagle Crater landing site. This image was the very first scientific proof of flowing water on the surface of Mars. This is one of the ‘Top 50 Images’ from Opportunity as decided by the Smithsonian ‘Air and Space Museum’.

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[caption id="attachment_2754" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Opportunity Berries' Here, There, Everywhere[/caption]

(Opportunity Berries' Here, There, Everywhere)

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Our next image is the very first large panoramic image for this edition of ‘The Mars Report’ today. This image was taken from Opportunity of Intrepid Crater. The crater was named after the lunar module of Apollo 12, Intrepid. The image was taken back in December of 2010.

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[caption id="attachment_2755" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Opportunity Intrepid Crater Panoramic[/caption]

(Opportunity Intrepid Crater Panoramic)

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The next image is another panoramic showing ‘Lyell’ inside Victoria Crater. Taken on the anniversary of the second year of Opportunity’s mission on Mars.

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[caption id="attachment_2756" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Opportunity 'Lyell' Panorama inside Victoria Crater[/caption]

(Opportunity 'Lyell' Panorama inside Victoria Crater)

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Our final image for this decade review of Opportunity On Mars is another composite image. This image is made from over a dozen different images taken by the rover’s panoramic camera. As a part Opportunity’s investigation of Victoria Crater, it shows ‘Cape Verde’ from its view from ‘Cape St. Mary’.

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[caption id="attachment_2757" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Opportunity View of 'Cape Verde' from 'Cape St. Mary'[/caption]

(Opportunity View of 'Cape Verde' from 'Cape St. Mary')

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That brings us to the end of this special edition of ‘The Mars Report’ celebrating adecade ofimaging and science thanks to the Martian rover Opportunity!

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Thanks for dropping by and taking this look back and review of a decade of images from Opportunity. I am working on another special edition for tomorrow showcasing the rover Spirit. I am going to do my best to, also, bring you the regularly scheduled edition of ‘Lost in Space’ this week, too. Have a great week!

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Adieu!

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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]

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

The Mars Report - January 30, 2014

[caption id="attachment_2258" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Billion Pixel View From Curiosity at Rocknest[/caption]

('Billion Pixel View' From Curiosity at Rocknest)

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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.

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When I last updated you, My Dear Readers, on the progress of Curiosity’s travels on the Martian surface, it was back in June of last year. I presented a 3-D version of The Mars Report and explained what kind of glasses you could use to ‘see’ these images in their 3-D splendor. I have not lost interest in the Mars Curiosity mission. I just found it painfully difficult to keep up with all the different regular series I had promised. Quite simply? I had ‘Bitten off More Than I Could Chew’. .

Now, My Dear Readers, I simply must put aside my concerns of pain and discomfort and trudge forward. The success of this blog is directly tied to my ability to keep a roof over my head, and food on my table. Sorry about that trip down reality lane. I have always pushed myself brutally hard, but now simply must produce, produce, produce.

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This issue of The Mars Report will be followed by ‘350^th Article at The Other Shoe - Part Five’. Part five will be a retrospect of the this series of articles. That’s right; I am going to publish a review of the top five articles of this series, The Mars Report. This weekend I am hoping to have finished, and publish, the final episode of my 350^th celebration. Wrapping up the series and the celebration by the end of January.

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Now that we have all the housekeeping out of the way, let us get started with the meat of this article and return to Mars!

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The majority of images I am going to share here today were taken on the 527^th Sol day (terrestrial days) on Mars. We are well into the second year of Curiosity’s adventure on the Martian surface. The last I updated this series, Curiosity was headed into the Gale Crater. Today, we find Curiosity in the Gale Crater and navigating to the ‘Dingo Gap’ leading to the foothills of Mount Sharp. In many of the following images you can clearly see the foothills of Mount Sharp in the background. Curiosity is making good progress and during our absence there has been only one interruption in the rover’s progress. That lasted only a couple of days, and Curiosity was back on track and schedule.

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The following image was taken on Sol day 526 (January 28, 2014) from the Left-Eye camera and the Mast Cam. There is a sand dune in the upper center of the image between two scarps. This area is called the ‘Dingo Gap’. This is the pass Curiosity will navigate to the foothills of Mount Sharp.

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

(The ‘Dingo Gap’)

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Our next image, My Dear Readers, is a close-up of one of the erosion scarps to each side of the ‘Dingo Gap’. I picked this picture because, in the background, you can begin to see, clearly, the foothills of Mount Sharp. You see, that is our eventual destination for Curiosity for this leg of its journey. Mount Sharp, and the surrounding foothills, will give scientists their best shot at seeing the largest amount of geological history in one place.

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[caption id="attachment_2263" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Erosion by Scarp Retreat in Gale Crater[/caption]

(Erosion Scarp at Dingo Gap)

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Our next Martian image shows the geologic members of the ‘Yellowknife Bay Formation’. Curiosity drilled into the low-lying members of this geological formation. This time I have chosen to use an annotated version of the iomage. This shows all the geologic features outlined and i9ndicates exactly where Curiosity drilled.

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[caption id="attachment_2257" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Yellowknife Formation Annotated[/caption]

(Yellowknife Formation Annotated)

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Our little rover, Curiosity, has traveled very far, since we watched it land all those months ago. On several occasions, in the past, I have shown images of the tracks behind Curiosity. While those images are great for seeing recent progress by Curiosity, only a view from space can give us the whole picture. The image below is just that, and view of Curiosity’s progress via track marks in the Martian soil. Look closely, and you can see the great journey Curiosity has made in 527 days.

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[caption id="attachment_2260" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Curiosity Rover Tracks, Viewed from Orbit in December 2013[/caption]

(Rover Curiosity Tracks in the Martian Soil)

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Our final image of the day is a close-up of a rock. Yeah, I know but this rock holds a little secret. This image was taken by the ChemCam on the mast arm of Curiosity, and done with a precision laser.

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[caption id="attachment_2259" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Crystals in Martian Rock Gale Crater[/caption]

(Crystal formations in Rock from Gale Crater)

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Well, MY Dear Readers, that brings us to the end of this edition of The Mars Report. I am happy to be back and bring you images from our celestial brother planet, Mars. I hope that you have enjoyed the images I have shared, and maybe that you learned a little more about Mars.

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I would like to make you all, My Dear Readers, a promise to keep publishing this series on a regular basis. I can promise to do my level best to do just that, however, between my growing hunger and pain in my left hand and neck… I will do my level best. I enjoy creating and sharing many different types of content for you, My Dear Readers. Although, it has never been about just what I enjoy… doing. It all, really, boils down to what one person can get done in one day… in my current condition. My medical condition will never improve. At least not with my limited resources. My resolve has never been better, my desire never stronger. I… just… at times… need a little help.

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Below you will see an image of me, in my wheelchair. Below that is a link to The Other Shoe eBay Store. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am left in a position where I must work hard to try and improve my financial situation. I could start an Indiegogo Campaign. I am not to that point, yet. I fear that I would not garner much financial support… at this time. Let me know if I am wrong!

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I would rather garner support by selling personal items and hoping for the best. Having said, please look at the items I have for sale. If, however, you do not see anything that you would like to own? IF you still would like to help me out? There is always contributions via PayPal. I am listed as Daniel Hanning with the email of Enzomatrix@earthlink.net. Any contribution will be greatly appreciated and used for food and rent. I sincerely apologize for this intrusion… and for asking for your support. In all of the 350+ articles I have written… I try very hard to not engage in asking for assistance.

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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="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 Mars Report June 2, 2013

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A rat on Mars, did you hear about this? ROFLMFAO (Rolling On the Floor Laughing My Fracking Ass Off) I looked at the images, at about 4:30AM today (Sunday). Went to NASA/JPL to download the original shots and looked at them on my 1920x1080 monitor. Rocks, just rocks. Guess it is a slow news week, right? Just as I was sewing that up I hear something about “a metallic arm’ on Mars? Again, ROFLMFAO. Does nobody in the media realize that the public/media images have been altered? It is called ‘White Balancing’ and it helps make ALL the public images released appear in EARTH light.

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Hence, something that appears ‘metallic’ in the media/public image is, in reality, not even metallic. But, this kind of thing keeps those pulp mags moving and the ET tele-mags full of pseudo-intrigue. However, I really must hand it to the blogger that broke this story. His blog is hopping and he is experiencing his “fifteen-minutes-of-Fame” all we Americans were promised. (My favorite… my ONLY.. favorite phrase from Andy Warhol)

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See, the thing is? I would just LOVE to have this traffic here @ The Other Shoe. Although, honestly, I would not want my time of fame to be over a rat shaped rock on Mars. I have been writing The Mars Report here for the past eight or so months, not just a fly-by-night venture for me. When you come here to read about Mars and see images that open your eyes and fill you with wonder, it is just that. I want people to feel engaged and involved in the American Mars Science Expedition, not harvest the whole project for fill in a slow news week. Nope, I am here for the hard science and pure enjoyment of discovering another world, and alien planet, for the long haul.

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I was thinking of posting the images here, then I thought not. The media has already debunked the ‘rat’ image. As for the “metallic arm’?

Simple factoid. Pretty much without exception all the images that make it to the public and media have been altered (by NASA/JPL) in a process called ‘white balancing’. This is a imaging process that alters the color saturation, hue, and white level of the original image so that the scene appears in Earth Light. Right, we rarely see Mars in Martian light. However, here @ The Other Shoe I have presented images that are in original Mars lighting. In one article I shared an image from JPL that broke down a single shot in the three different imaging processes they use. RAW, Natural and White Balanced.

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Here is a shot of Mount Sharp in Raw Colors:

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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="258"] NASA/JPL Image of Mount Sharp with RAW colors.[/caption]

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And, here is the same image with ‘White Balancing’:

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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="258"] NASA/JPL Image of Mount Sharp with White Balancing imaging used.[/caption]

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So, with the processes and imaging techniques used, what appears to be ‘metallic’ in a white balanced process image in reality is not metallic colored at all. I looked at the image, both at this bloggers site and at NASA/JPL project web site. There is a glare, on a rock face, that appears to have been translated, visually, as a silver metal color. There is not metal object on Mars, least not yet. I appreciate that a lot more people are looking at the Mars mission images. I hope all Americans follow of space program (less than 20% actually do), but this is for all the wrong reasons.

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Scientific achievement, advancing our understanding of our world via exploration of other planetary bodies in our solar system and fulfilling mankind’s need for expansion and exploration. THOSE are the good and genuine reasons to write about and talk about Mars and the NASA/JPL Mars Mission.

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Thank you for dropping by, today. I was hoping for more images today… I am just really in a ton of pain and simply cannot put together all the downloads and uploads, nesting URLS and labels that it takes to produce one single episode of The Mars Report. I appreciate your support and understanding.

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ENJOY!

Mid-May The Mars Report

Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to the Mid-May 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.

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[caption id="attachment_684" align="aligncenter" width="630"] This is the first 360-degree panorama in color of the Gale Crater landing site taken by NASA’s Curiosity rover. The panorama was made from thumbnail versions of images taken by the Mast Camera.[/caption]

(Click on the images in this article to see the Full Sized Images)

(This is the first 360-degree panorama in color of the Gale Crater landing site taken by NASA's Curiosity rover. The panorama was made from thumbnail versions of images taken by the Mast Camera. )

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This is a shot of Mount Sharp looking up from Rocknest. I tried to make 'thimbnails' of the larger iamges (they are quite large and in HD). Unfortunately, the blog would not accommodate the original size. Therefore, I have made the best of a bad situation and croped a middle size just for my blog and you My Dear Readers! :)

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Now, before we get to the beautiful panoramic images here is an overhead shot of the area Curiosity and we have been. The surrounding crater is Gale Crater and the center is Mount Sharp. There is no ‘scale’ here, but the mountain is larger and higher than Pike’s Peak in Colorado. So, here is the great overhead of our stomping grounds.

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[caption id="attachment_683" align="aligncenter" width="630"] This graphic shows the pattern of winds predicted to be swirling around and inside Gale Crater, which is where NASA's Curiosity rover landed on Mars. Modeling the winds gives scientists a context for the data from Curiosity's Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS).[/caption]

(Image made for showing thermal patterns gives up a great overhead view)

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Our next image is a low-level shot of Mount Sharp from the Rocknest area. This was earlier in the mission, about Sol say 54) and Curiosity is much further from Mount Sharp.

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[caption id="attachment_685" align="aligncenter" width="630"] This panorama is a mosaic of images taken by the Mast Camera (Mastcam) on the NASA Mars rover Curiosity while the rover was working at a site called "Rocknest" in October and November 2012.[/caption]

(This panorama is a mosaic of images taken by the Mast Camera (Mastcam) on the NASA Mars rover Curiosity while the rover was working at a site called "Rocknest" in October and November 2012. )

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This next shot takes us a little further back in our adventure, like back in the beginning (August 8^th to be exact). This is a 360-degree shot of Gale Crater wall, near the landing zone

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[caption id="attachment_681" align="aligncenter" width="630"] This is the first 360-degree panorama in color of the Gale Crater landing site taken by NASA's Curiosity rover. The panorama was made from thumbnail versions of images taken by the Mast Camera.[/caption]

(This is the first 360-degree panorama in color of the Gale Crater landing site taken by NASA's Curiosity rover. The panorama was made from thumbnail versions of images taken by the Mast Camera. )

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Well, My Dear Readers, we are coming to the end of this adventure to Mars. I cannot tell you how nice it was to have you drop by and spend a little while. I appreciate your time and the effort you make to ‘Like’ my articles and my Facebook page for The Other Shoe. I am trying to make a go of this blog and every ‘Like’ helps. Below you will find the very first panoramic 360-degree self-portrait of Curiosity. Even in the first weeks she was covered in a layer of dust.

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[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]

(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.)

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Nice shot, huh? Well I have to say that I have enjoyed this edition quite a lot. These are the images that I enjoy most, but realize that I need to share all the images I can and try and meet the visual needs of the most people. Be sure to share, if you enjoyed this edition, over Facebook and let your friends and family enjoy these great panoramic images from Curiosity on Mars.

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I look forward to your next visit, and hope that today finds you and your loved ones well. Take care, and remember… ‘Like’ and ‘Share’. ;)

The Mars Report - September 28, 2012

Welcome back, my dear readers! I have a simply astounding The Mars Report for you, today. However, first, a little science. Now, you know that one of the major reasons that America is going to Mars is to find signs of life, right? Well, the first sign of life is find if there was/is water on Mars. This week NASA/JPL has found evidence of flowing water on Mars, and I am going to show you images of the proof.

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That takes us to our first image of the day, an ancient streambed, found by Curiosity, on the Martian surface. Below is a picture of a rock outcrop in an area named, by NASA/JPL, as "Hottah" after Hottah Lake in Canada's Northwest Territories. What you are seeing, in this image, is actually exposed bedrock. Yes, it kind of looks like broken sidewalk, but this is called a sedimentary conglomerate. It is broken bedrock mixed with other sedimentary deposits left ages ago.

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[caption id="attachment_384" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Curiosity rover found evidence for an ancient, flowing stream on Mars at a few sites, including the rock outcrop pictured here, which the science team has named "Hottah" after Hottah Lake in Canada's Northwest Territories. It may look like a broken sidewalk, but this geological feature on Mars is actually exposed bedrock made up of smaller fragments cemented together, or what geologists call a sedimentary conglomerate.[/caption]

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Our next image is the first time the 100 millimeter main Mast Camera has been used to take images of this area. This area has been dubbed Goldburn Scour and it actually the very area that was burned by the decent rockets from the Sky Crane. These are marks made, by the rocket engines, of the Sky Crane. The Sky Crane is what that lowered Curiosity down on to the Martian surface. These images are three times the resolution of any released, of this area, yet. As well, these images were the first take of the sandy conglomerate pictured above.

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[caption id="attachment_379" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This image from NASA's Curiosity Rover shows a high-resolution view of an area that is known as Goulburn Scour, a set of rocks blasted by the engines of Curiosity's descent stage on Mars. It shows a section from a mosaic of a pair of images obtained by Curiosity's 100-millimeter Mast Camera, with three times higher resolution than previously released. Details of the layer of pebbles can be seen in the close-up.[/caption]

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The next set of images compares high definition images of Martian sedimentary soil to Earth sedimentary soil. Now, this gets a little scientific here, so I am going to quote what NASA/JPL has written;

        “This set of images compares the Link outcrop of rocks on Mars (left) with similar rocks seen on Earth (right). The image of Link, obtained by NASA's Curiosity rover, shows rounded gravel fragments, or clasts, up to a couple inches (few centimeters), within the rock outcrop. Erosion of the outcrop results in gravel clasts that fall onto the ground, creating the gravel pile at left. 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. A typical Earth example of sedimentary conglomerate formed of gravel fragments in a stream is shown on the right.

An annotated version of the image highlights a piece of gravel that is about 0.4 inches (1 centimeter) across. It was selected as an example of coarse size and rounded shape. Rounded grains (of any size) occur by abrasion in sediment transport, by wind or water, when the grains bounce against each other. Gravel fragments are too large to be transported by wind. At this size, scientists know the rounding occurred in water transport in a stream.”

So, if I am reading this correctly, the images we are seeing from Curiosity on Mars are showing geological formations that are similar to those found on Earth. That through these images, and the comparison to Earth images, we can conclude that the same geologic forces present on Earth were (at some time) present on Mars. Hence, there was flowing water on Mars, at least right here.

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[caption id="attachment_381" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This set of images compares the Link outcrop of rocks on Mars (left) with similar rocks seen on Earth (right). The image of Link, obtained by NASA's Curiosity rover, shows rounded gravel fragments, or clasts, up to a couple inches (few centimeters), within the rock outcrop[/caption]

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In yet another first on Mars (and for us) our next image is a shot of the robotic arms making contact with a Martian rock for the very first time. One might think that this is an easy task. Anyone that has ever controlled a remote controlled plane or other device might think now big deal.However, keep in mind in this situation you only get one chance. As well, there is a seven minute delay for every action you take. In gaming, we call it lag and it can mean (in gaming) the difference between life and death. However, imagine that you are playing a game at home, and each time you moved your cursor or joystick you had to wait seven minutes before the action reached your television! Now you have an idea of how hard it is, to lock a robotic arm to a rock, safely.

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[caption id="attachment_383" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This image shows the robotic arm of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity with the first rock touched by an instrument on the arm. The rover's right Navigation Camera (Navcam) took this image during the 46th Martian day, or sol, of the mission (Sept. 22, 2012).[/caption]

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Our next image, and the next to the last, is the close-up on the rock. This is one of the images, taken by the robotic arm, once it was in contact with the Martian rock. Geeze, this is a close-up!

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[caption id="attachment_378" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This image combines photographs taken by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) at three different distances from the first Martian rock that NASA's Curiosity rover touched with its arm. The three exposures were taken during the 47th Martian day, or sol, of Curiosity's work on Mars (Sept. 23, 2012)[/caption]

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That brings us to the last image of this edition of The Mars Report here @ The Other Shoe. Our last image of the day shows the dedication plaque on Curiosity. My fellow Pearlanders will remember the plaque that was left on the L.E.M. that took Neil Armstrong to the Moon. Now, there is a similar plaque on Curiosity. It will be there, on Mars, for the rest of time. Here it is!

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[caption id="attachment_382" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This view of Curiosity's deck shows a plaque bearing several signatures of US officials, including that of President Obama and Vice President Biden. The image was taken by the rover's Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) during the rover's 44th Martian day, or sol, on Mars (Sept. 19, 2012). The plaque is located on the front left side of the rover's deck.[/caption]

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That brings us to the very end of today’s The Mars Report. It is with heavy heart that I write my next words. For the past three months I have been working as hard as I can to bring you, my dear readers, stories and images from far away places and entertainment for your reading pleasure. I do have an ulterior motive, though. I am still raising money for my funding campaigns. I have yet to order my Power Chair, and just how much is in the campaign, the day it ends, dictates the type of Power Chair I get and what I get to add to the power chair (i.e., cane holder, backpack for carrying medications and documentation… a cup holder…). As well, I have not mentioned it before, but Indiegogo will be taking 6% of all contributions.

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Last, Daniel’s Moving Assistance Fund is doing poorly. Now, let me be frank, I am thrilled with the outpouring of generosity and support. However, the success of this campaign dictates if I get to move, or remain in a building of less desirable(s) whom, their drug dealing friends, they know I had kicked out of the building. I am not asking to be moved from a place with an elevator for my power chair and building security. The place I am living in, I will only be able to usemy power chair if my caregiver is here! Yes, it is freedom and mobility I haven’t had in years and years…  but is it truly freedom if I can’t get in my power chair, get on an elevator and go outside alone and get some fresh air? I will leave it up to you, my dear readers.

Please, take a moment… and help me… help myself.

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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="220"] Daniel's Moving Assistance Fund[/caption]

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The Mars Report - September 21, 2012

September 21, 2012

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An incredible ‘Mars Report’ I have for you, today. We have the regular updates on Curiosity’s Martian travels, and another ‘self-portrait’ by Curiosity (in unique circumstances, through) and a closing shot that is just incredible. I have been absent, for the past five days, and for that I apologize. My condition has taken a sharp turn for the worse, and I have been working to find some amount of comfort with these changes. I promise, I am ‘back’ and will redouble my efforts to keep you informed and entertained.

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Now, for our first image of this ‘Mars Report’ maps the movement of Curiosity since it landed on Mars. We can see where Curiosity started in ‘Bradbury Landing’ and is headed toward ‘Glenelg’. The numbers, in the image, are the Sol ‘days’ of Curiosity’s Martian adventure. Curiosity arrived on the 16^th day, since launch, and is now stopped in its 42^ndday.

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[caption id="attachment_340" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Curiosity's Martian Journey So Far[/caption]

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Our next image is a panoramic of the Glenelg area that Curiosity’s destination. If you look very closely (at the larger image, when you click on the image) you can ‘see’ the reason NASA/JPL have Curiosity headed to this area. Note the large dark bands in the rock face in this area. They are looking to see if these ‘bands’ are made up of volcanic rock. If these bands are volcanic rock this would be a great place to start to ‘date’ the volcanic incident and maybe gain insight as to ‘where’ the Martian water (and atmosphere) went at the end of Mars’s life.

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[caption id="attachment_343" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A Panoramic View of Glenelg, Curiosity's Current Goal[/caption]

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Here is the most recent shot, from Curiosity on Mars. This is an unusual rock that Curiosity has stumbled upon. “The rock is about 10 inches (25 centimeters) tall and 16 inches (40 centimeters) wide. The rover team has assessed it as a suitable target for the first use of Curiosity's contact instruments on a rock. The image was taken by the left Navigation camera (Navcam) at the end of the drive.”  As quoted from the J.P.L. web site. I don’t usually ‘do’ that, but I thought they had explained about the rock just about as well as anyone could!

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[caption id="attachment_341" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Curious Rock found by Curiosity[/caption]

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Wow, this next image gives us some idea of the conditions Curiosity is dealing with on its Martian adventure. This is a ‘self-portrait’ of the mast cam, during a sand storm on Mars. This was a particularly bad sand storm and NASA/JPL wanted to see how the mast cam faired in these conditions. It seems that the mast cam is going to weather the Martian storms in stride.

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[caption id="attachment_339" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Curiosity Self-Portrait in Sand Storm[/caption]

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Our next to the last shot is of the underside of Curiosity. This is done, periodically, to check on the status of the rover. To see if any objects have attached themselves to Curiosity and to make sure that there is no leakage or damage. I just like seeing the underside of the rover, and we can see ALL the larger wheels in this shot.

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[caption id="attachment_338" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Another Unique Image of the Underside of Curiosity[/caption]

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Now for the last image of this issue of ‘The Mars Report’ and the best image I could find. This is an enhanced color image of dunes trapped in an impact crater in Noachis Terra, Mars. This image was taken by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This mission to Mars is unique in many ways. However, the fact that we have three orbiting platforms active while Curiosity is roving the Martian terrain makes this mission once in a lifetime. We can see areas and objects on the Martian surface, from orbital platforms, then approach and investigate the same features via Curiosity. This is an incredible time, in non-manned space exploration and thereason I am spending all this time writing about Mars and Curiosity. Enjoy!

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[caption id="attachment_342" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Dunes in Noachis Terra Region of Mars[/caption]

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That brings us to the end of this 'The Mars Report'. I hope that you have enjoyed your time here @ The Other Shoe, and that you will find your way back here, soon. I greatly appreciate your 'Sharing' and 'Liking' my articles and stories. You doing that, sharing my work with your friends, helps me reach a larger audiance and improves my chances of meeting my goals.

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Thank you for your generosity and kindness in this my time of need.

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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="220"] Daniel's Moving Assistance Fund[/caption]
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The Mars Report - September 13, 2012

The Mars Report

September 13, 2012

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I just downloaded a new batch of images from Mars. I hadn’t intended to write this article till later in the week, but I have the images and better to get this done, than put it off and be in too much pain to do it later. [this was written September 13, 2012] Now, for first image, well it may well be the best image of the article. I know, I usually “save the best for last”, but I just might be breaking an old habit. This is an image, from the Curiosity’s Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI). Actually, I think all of our images today are from the MAHLI. This is a high definition image of a penny. This 1909 penny is used as a calibration for imaging devices on Curiosity. I was impressed they used a 1909 penny. You can see the build up of Martian dust, on this penny.

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[caption id="attachment_246" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This is an image of a penny (1909 penny) on Curiosity. The penny is used for imaging calibration, and this shot shows the accumlination of Martian Dust on the penny.[/caption]

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The next two images (still from Mars and from the MAHLI) are of the receptor for soil samples, that is about to be used. These two images are from a testing process that JPL engaged in, today, to test and calibrate instruments to be used tomorrow to test Martian soil. The first shot, here, is of the receptacle with the lid closed.

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[caption id="attachment_245" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Soil Receptor with the door shut. This is the receptor for Martian soil samples.[/caption]

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Soil Receptor with the door shut. This is the receptor for Martian soil samples.

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Oui, now with the lid OPEN! (Joy!)

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[caption id="attachment_244" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Soil Receptor with the door open.[/caption]

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The next two images are of Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) on NASA's Curiosity rover, with the Martian landscape in the background. This mast, of Curiosity, is a multi-headed beast! I wonder what a life form might think, if it ran into Curiosity in the dark.

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[caption id="attachment_247" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This is a self portrait of the mast of the Curiosity rover.[/caption]

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Side-shot of the same mast on Curiosity rover. This is a creature of many ‘heads’.

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[caption id="attachment_248" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Curiosity Rover Head Mast Side-Shot[/caption]

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That brings us to the end of this installment of The Mars Report. I thank you for coming by and reading, and appreciate your time. Have a great day tomorrow and I hope to see you here on Friday. The weekend is well within reach!

 Thank you for all your generosity and kindness.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="220"] Daniel's Moving Assistance Fund[/caption]

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