The Mars Report - August 25th 2014

Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today is Monday August 25^th 2014, and it is 10AM PDT as I write this article. Before I begin today’s adventure on the Martian surface, I will take but a moment to belabor a point. When I, today, looked at the front page of Danny’s Cancer Treatment Fund @ Indiegogo[1] I saw two things. First, I saw that MANY of you have, through the kindness of your heart, have ‘Shared’ my plight on Facebook. Many to the tune of One Hundred Twenty-Five! Then, I noticed second thing… and my heart fell out of my chest. In the first week of my campaign to save my life I have only garnered the support of one person to the tune of ten dollars.

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Tomorrow, I have an appointment to see my oncologist. The doctor that will guide my care for many years to come, and mayhaps save my life. It will cost me ten dollars to go and see this oncologist. Once spent, I will be completely bereft of monies with which to pursue my treatment for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer. I had hoped that this fight would be one that I shared with others. That, standing beside me, were many.

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My fears are genuine, my concern is palatable, my time is nigh. Ten dollars.

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Curiosity has discovered failure, on the Martian surface. Yet, let me not tread a path upon ground I have yet to sew seed.

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Beneath this paragraph is the first image of this week’s edition of ‘The Mars Report’. Each week I will endeavor to share the current location of our intrepid sojourner, Curiosity. In the image, below, you will find that Curiosity is now in the depths of the ‘Hidden Valley’ of Mars. A side-note, I find it quite encouraging that NASA/JPL (with the help of EU’s Martian orbiter) have already mapped the entire Martian surface.

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“Beneath my feet I feel the whole of mankind moving, forward. Ever changing, ever moving, relentless as death, as certain as night turns to day.” Danny Hanning

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[caption id="attachment_3438" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Map of Curiosity’s Progress on the Martian Surface[/caption]

(Map of Curiosity’s Progress on the Martian Surface)

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“For in each and every moment of our lives, we exist and transmit. Broadcasting our; lives, loves, hopes and fears. As children we listen to these broadcasts all the waking hours of the day. As adults… we dare not listen. Why?” Danny Hanning

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Our next image, for today’s edition, is of the “Bonanza King”. Bonanza King is a sandstone outcrop that is the next ‘target’ for examination by Curiosity. Having approached Bonanza King now Curiosity begins the process of scientific examination. Below, is Curiosity as it approached the Bonanza King.

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[caption id="attachment_3439" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Curiosity sitting beside ‘Bonanza King’[/caption]

(Curiosity sitting beside ‘Bonanza King’)

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“In the end, it is not our achievements or accomplishments that will define us. It is but our shortcomings that will be most remembered. Our failures; our ignorance, our bigotry, and our prejudices it is those that will stand the test of time.” Danny Hanning

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Here we are midpoint in our Martian adventure. Our next image is one of the only two color images in today’s edition of ‘The Mars Report’. This is a shot of ‘Bonanza King’ after Curiosity has brushed clean the surface of the sandstone rock face. Once cleaned, then Curiosity will lower the boom-arm and begin drilling into the surface of ‘Bonanza King’.

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[caption id="attachment_3436" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Curiosity’s Brushwork on Bonanza King[/caption]

(Curiosity’s Brushwork on Bonanza King)

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“The greatest cheat of this life is that; only when facing death does man understand the true value of life.” Danny Hanning

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ON the Martian surface Curiosity lowers its arm towards ‘Bonanza King’. Curiosity lowers its robotic arm in hopes of drilling into this extraterrestrial sandstone and unlocking secrets. Great anticipation rides on this action, by Curiosity. You see by moving into the ‘Hidden Valley’ our intrepid sojourner moved into an area rich in sandstone deposits. Trapped, in these sandstone rocks and outcrops, is the history of Mars. By looking into them, we peer into Martian history and unlock its secrets.

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[caption id="attachment_3435" align="aligncenter" width="602"] Curiosity’s robotic Arm tests ‘Bonanza King’[/caption]

(Curiosity’s robotic Arm tests ‘Bonanza King’)

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“The future that mankind creates today is one of deep darkness. A darkness that will make our last ‘Dark Ages’ pale in comparison. I weep for mankind. For we know not what we do.” Danny Hanning

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Now, for our final image of the day. My Dear Readers, I thank you for dropping by. For reading my words. For viewing these images at my side. For, you see, for the past several moments we have stepped outside our lives and into a larger existence. One day mankind will walk on these very spots on the Martian surface. We will transcend the bounds of this Earth, and take our rightful place among the stars. I share these images with you, My Dear Readers, so that… if but for a moment you and I stand in our future. We stand along side a mankind that has chosen to venture forward. For yet but a moment, we leave behind this world of pain and suffering and live in our future.

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Unfortunately the testing on ‘Bonanza King’ is a failure. The rock, and/or its supporting structure, is not steady enough to hold the rock face still. The image, below, is of the failed drilling on the face of ‘Bonanza King’. I hope that, next week, I can share a success by Curiosity. However, there may be no ‘new images’ for next week’s edition. Below, the face of ‘Bonanza King’ after the failed attempt to drill into its face, and the Martian past.

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[caption id="attachment_3437" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Drilling on ‘Bonanza King’[/caption]

(Drilling on ‘Bonanza King’)

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Which brings us to the end of this edition of ‘The Mars Report’ right here at The Other Shoe. I hope that you have enjoyed your visit, and that you return soon and often. AS always I have enjoyed your visit, My Dear Readers, and look forward to your next visit. Remember that, right here at The Other Shoe, there are over Five Hundred Articles to read and enjoy. There is never a shortage of great reading here at The Other Shoe!

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Now, if I might take just a minuet of your time, today? My dear Readers, my name is Danny Hanning. I was born and raised in Southeast Texas; born in Houston and raised in Pearland (if you follow Little League you might know that our team kicked butt this year!). Currently residing in sunny Southern California in the town of Westminster right next to Huntington Beach.

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Two weeks ago I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer. For the past week I have been desperately trying to raise the money I need to fight this heinous and insidious bodily invader. My campaign Danny’s Cancer Treatment Fund @ Indiegogo [2] is my only way to raise the funds I need. This first week has been… difficult for me. IN that in one week’s time I have only garnered the support of one person to the tune of $10. Whereas, I am completely flattered by Jason Kleppinger’s contribution, I hate to admit that $10 just is not going to get me very far.

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Therefore, I am… asking… begging for your assistance. My Dear Readers I have a long an arduous journey ahead. I have spent a great deal of time reading about this cancer. Ahead of me, the first several months, is the biggest battle! Once it is determined which ‘stage’ of cancer I am… at? Then starts the; chemotherapy treatments, radiation treatments, Porta-Cath(s) surgeries, and endless tests, appointments, and… nausea and vomiting. This is the battle where I need your help most!

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I do not have the financial resources with which to fight this battle, alone. I would not ask…. But I NEED YOUR HELP!

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I am not asking for a fortune I am just asking for some help… now. Within the next two weeks I will be staring chemotherapy. My Dear Readers I am unable to afford the proper chemotherapy rugs. I am on Social Security and my healthcare is Medicare and Medi—Cal. Without your support I fear that I will not have the proper medications to battle my cancer. As well, I do need help with things like; a better proper diet, lost income from my roommate/caregiver loosing time at work to help me.

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This cancer will wreak havoc on all parts of my life! I just want to be able to fight this cancer and still manage to pay my bills and keep a roof over my head. This is not the case with this drain on my; body, resources, and life! I would not ask for this assistance if I have any other CHOICE!

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All you need do is click the ad below! It will take you to my Indiegogo campaign. There you can make any size contribution you desire. Any size contribution will help me battle my cancer. Thank you for your time, and your consideration.

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!

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PLEASE DONATE to

Danny's Cancer Treatment Fund @ Indiegogo

[caption id="attachment_3338" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Danny in Rolling Hills Estates August 12, 2014[/caption]

PLEASE GIVE!?!

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[1]https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/danny-s-cancer-treatment-fund/x/753895

[2]https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/danny-s-cancer-treatment-fund/x/753895#home

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]

www.ebay.com/usr/enzomatrixlt

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

Lost in Sapce #1 - March 26th, 2014

[caption id="attachment_2598" align="aligncenter" width="630"] (Hubble Looking into the Heart of the Milky Way)[/caption]

(Hubble Looking into the Heart of the Milky Way)

         Welcome back MY Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today, and with this article, I am launching a brand-new series of articles for The Other Shoe. As you can see from the title of this article the name of this all-new series is ‘Lost in Space’. Yes, I lifted the name from a TV series I very much enjoyed as a boy. However, every month I find more and more articles, about space, that just do not fit into ‘The Mars Report’. Therefore, from this day forward every article about space exploration, space flight, experimentations and space flight, the potential commercial colonization of Mars, and/or any other article I find about space will be found here every week in ‘Lost in Space’.

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Now, as I mentioned in a recent article I published here, it is unlikely yours truly will ever slipped the surly bonds of earth. You just don’t know, My Dear Readers, how much that thoroughly sucks. Life goes on. Just because I will not be able to embrace my personal dreams of leaving Earth’s orbit. That does not mean I cannot help bring the wonders of space to you, My Dear Readers.

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You see, My Dear Readers, last week while I was celebrating the 400^th article published here at The Other Shoe and the four year anniversary I wrote that I would do anything to improve this blog. That I was going to read double my efforts to make The Other Shoe a better place for all of you. A better place for all of you to come for; entertainment, information, political editorial, creative writing, news from space and even of horror story or two. I don’t know if I’m doing this in spite of or because of my declining health.

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Each passing day I can tell that I am able to do less. Each week I feel more pain, and ‘new’ pains. Meaning, I feel pain doing things in my day to day life, where it wasn’t painful a week… or month ago. They say ‘pain is a great motivator’ and I guess my actions here are proof of the truth in those words. Regardless of my pain, I am pushing myself to; write more, think more about different articles, challenge myself to write in fields I have not, and publish more often. This is my goal, and so far I am able to meet that goal.

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Last week, in seven days, I wrote and published twelve articles. Yesterday, I wrote and published two articles in one day. I have planned, to repeat that performance today.

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So, for as long as I am physically able you, My Dear Readers, will garner the fruit of my redoubled labors. It was in that spirit that this ‘new’ series ‘Lost in Space’ was born, today. I would not be the least bit surprised if you bear witness to more ‘births’ of new and different content, over the coming weeks and months. Just as a little FYI I was just tossing around the idea of a ‘new’ series of articles named “The World Around Us’. This series will be a catch-all for all things space oriented, and ‘The World Around Us’ would be a catch-all for all things ‘earth sciences. What do you think?

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For our very first image, in this the premier edition of ‘Lost in Space’, I take you to The Boomerang Nebula[1]. The Boomerang nebula is located 5000 light years from our home here on earth. It is located in the Constellation Centaurus and is also known as ‘The Bow-Tie Nebula’. This nebula has a very unique characteristic. The temperature in the nebula is 1 K (−272.15 °C; −457.87 °F), making it the coolest natural place in the known universe.

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[caption id="attachment_2599" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Ghostly Specter Haunts the ‘Coldest Place in the Universe’[/caption]

(Ghostly Specter Haunts the ‘Coldest Place in the Universe’)

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My Dear Readers, I thought that the striking beauty of The Boomerang Nebula, combi9ned with it the title of coolest place in the known universe made this the prefect candidate for ‘First Image’ for ‘Lost in Space’. I wanted to start this series off with a bit of a bang, and since I could not find any available images of ‘The Big Bang’ I figured this would do nicely. Above you will see my first reference (#1) right after the name ‘The Boomerang Nebula’, if you follow that link it will take you to a page with lots of information on this nebula. My Dear Readers, I will endeavor to make sure that each of the articles in this series will have lots of links for you to follow for more information. I would like to encourage your curiosity, and make it easy for you to ‘read more about it’. J

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Our next image, My Dear Readers, is a starscape taken by the Hubble telescope (FYI all of today’s images are from the Hubble Space Telescope) looking into Terzan 7[2]. Believed to have originated in the Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy[3], Terzan 7 is a young globular cluster. Terzan 7 sets itself apart from other young globular clusters, in that it posses a very rich population of blue stragglers[4] concentrated near the center. I was just impressed with the clarity of the image and the overall brilliance.

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[caption id="attachment_2601" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Hubble Looks into Terzan 7[/caption]

Hubble Looks into Terzan 7)

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Well, I have a pretty good feeling about how this new series is started out so far. Unlike many of my other articles, My Dear Readers, I am not going to leave the best for last. Therefore, if you are a big fan of supernovas then our next image will certainly rank your favorite. Captured while happening in the M82 Galaxy[5], also known as the Messier 82 Galaxy a ‘starburst’ galaxy, is a supernova! The death of several certain types of stars, this is one of nature’s Galactic Firework displays. In this image, the supernova can be seen in the picture-in-picture in the lower right hand corner of the image. ENJOY!

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[caption id="attachment_2602" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Hubble Monitors Supernova In Nearby Galaxy M82[/caption]

(Hubble Monitors Supernova In Nearby Galaxy M82)

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Out of the six images today, from the Hubble space telescope, the next image is by far my favorite. The earth is located in one of the arms of our spiral galaxy, far out from the center of our Milky Way galaxy. The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy, a common formation from our current observations. Our Milky Way galaxy is a very calm spiral galaxy. However, not all spiral arm galaxies are quite so sedate. In our next image we see two spiral galaxies (NGC 4038 and NGC 4039) locked in a deadly embrace. For the past few hundred million years these two, normally sedate spiral galaxies, have been sparing with one another. The gravitational actions have literally torn suns out of their host galaxies. Thus creating the a streaming arc between the two galaxies. Currently in a state of starburst the two are now forming an Antenna Galaxy. The nature of starburst cannot continue, and will result in either the two separating from each other or form one very large elliptical galaxy. I think the image is just striking, as is imagining the immense gravitational forces locked in this deadly dance.

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[caption id="attachment_2603" align="aligncenter" width="630"] NASA Hubble Sees Sparring Antennae Galaxies[/caption]

(NASA Hubble Sees Sparring Antennae Galaxies)

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Our last image, for this the premier edition of ‘Lost in Space’, is of the actual birth of a star! Forming in the Chameleon cloud[6] the Hubble has captured this striking image. We can clearly see the gases as they stream from the poles of the forming star. Creating a most ethereal object this sun will be known as HH 909A. The streaming gases have illuminated this entire region of space. As if to say, to any onlookers, ‘Hey, look at ME I am being BORN!’. It is images like this one, and really all of those I have shared here today, that have given birth to my fascination with space.

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[caption id="attachment_2600" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Hubble Looks in on a Nursery for Unruly Young Stars[/caption]

(Hubble Looks in on a Nursery for Unruly Young Stars)

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You see, My Dear Readers, I believe that earth is like mankind’s cradle… or crib. It is where we were laid, once born of star stuff. Our crib is where were have cut our teeth in science… and through war. It is where we were/are confined until such time that we, as a nation and/or a species, set our priorities on getting out of our crib. As with a human child, it is my belief that mankind was not meant to spend the entirety of our existence… in our crib!

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Just as, over time, mankind threw off the notion that the earth was flat and that if you sailed long enough… you would fall off the earth. Mankind must throw-off the notion that we are earth-bound. IMHO In order for mankind to avoid, eventual, extinction we must leave this earth. I believe that the real future of mankind is as a space-faring species. The sooner that we make; life in space, the exploration of other galaxies, and the colonization of other planets a reality. The sooner we will; decrease the incident of war, increase the opportunities for financial and educational equality for all, end hunger, and continue mankind’s stalled evolution.

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MY Dear Readers, I hope that you have enjoyed this, FIRST, edition of ‘Lost in Space’. I hope that I have given you images as eye-candy, and a little science as mind-candy. I look forward to bringing you the next edition of “Lost in Space’, and the one after that, and the one after that, and so on and so on. Thank you for taking the time out of your lives to spend here, with me, looking to the stars!

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

 

 

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[1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boomerang_Nebula

 

[2]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terzan_7

[3]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittarius_(constellation)

[4]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_straggler

 

[5]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_82

 

[6]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamaeleon

 

400th Article at The Other Shoe - Part Four

[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 Four of the series of article celebrating my 400^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 Four 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 Four of the celebratory series of articles for the 400^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 Four of ‘400^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 400 articles and four years.

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I am hoping that my health holds out, until I am finished with this review. Today I am making a venture into Anaheim to help Allen with the resolution of a legal matter. It will be a long day, starting at 6AM and I will get done about 6PM. I hope that everyone has enjoyed this retrospect of 400 articles and four years here at The Other Shoe.

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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="" 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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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 Mars Report - One Year!

                 Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to The Other Shoe. I have made it my goal, here at The Other Shoe, to share in the science and wonder of Mars. Specifically, the awe and wonder that the rover Curiosity brings to us humans here on Earth. I am rather ashamed that I have, until today, missed the One Year Anniversary of the landing of Curiosity on Mars. August 5^th, 2013 was that anniversary… and I was just too busy… too focused on my goal… my head down, my eyes like lasers… that not until right now, today did I realize how late I am in celebrating.

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Right now, it is 1:42AM PST and I am in too much pain (the reason I am awake @ nearly 2AM) to due this anniversary justice. Therefore, I will at this time share with you, My Dear Readers, the video NASA/JPL put together to celebrate this rover’s first year on Mars. However, when this campaign is over. When moving is behind me. Once I am settled, and have the time and mind. I promise you. I, too, shall make a tribute edition of ‘The Mars Report’ to celebrate this auspicious anniversary.

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SO, without further Adieu, I give you

‘Curiosity’s First year On Mars’

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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="224"] PLEASE HELP AND DONATE TO Daniel's Relocation and General Assistance Fiunding Canpaign[/caption]

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!

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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