Remember the Mars Exhibit at Lowell Observatory? Now you can seesome spectacular pictures online, at the Arizona Daily Star. Thanks to Arizona Geology Blog for this link.
The University of Arizona High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter did fantastic work.
Kudos!
Showing posts with label Mars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mars. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Mars Phoenix Lander Finishes Work
If you've been reading Coconino Chronicles for very long, you how much I love Lowell Observatory, Percival Lowell, Mars and especially all the hard working little guys on the Mars missions, so I was sad to read this post yesterday that begins:
Mars Phoenix Lander Finishes Successful Work On Red Planet
November 10, 2008 -- NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has ceased communications after operating for more than five months. As anticipated, seasonal decline in sunshine at the robot's arctic landing site is not providing enough sunlight for the solar arrays to collect the power necessary to charge batteries that operate the lander's instruments. Mission engineers last received a signal from the lander on Nov. 2. Phoenix, in addition to shorter daylight, has encountered a dustier sky, more clouds and colder temperatures as the northern Mars summer approaches autumn. The mission exceeded its planned operational life of three months to conduct and return science data. The project team will be listening carefully during the next few weeks to hear if Phoenix revives and phones home. However, engineers now believe that is unlikely because of the worsening weather conditions on Mars. While the spacecraft's work has ended, the analysis of data from the instruments is in its earliest stages. Read more ....
Mars Phoenix Lander Finishes Successful Work On Red Planet
November 10, 2008 -- NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has ceased communications after operating for more than five months. As anticipated, seasonal decline in sunshine at the robot's arctic landing site is not providing enough sunlight for the solar arrays to collect the power necessary to charge batteries that operate the lander's instruments. Mission engineers last received a signal from the lander on Nov. 2. Phoenix, in addition to shorter daylight, has encountered a dustier sky, more clouds and colder temperatures as the northern Mars summer approaches autumn. The mission exceeded its planned operational life of three months to conduct and return science data. The project team will be listening carefully during the next few weeks to hear if Phoenix revives and phones home. However, engineers now believe that is unlikely because of the worsening weather conditions on Mars. While the spacecraft's work has ended, the analysis of data from the instruments is in its earliest stages. Read more ....
Sunday, November 9, 2008
National Geographic Life on Mars
We just watched the 2008 National Geographic Naked Science "Life on Mars" about Mars Lander and the folks at the University of Arizona.
In an earlier post, I talked about how Gene Shoemaker would have wanted to be "right there" with these scientists and their project on Mars.
Today while I was watching this show, it occurred to me how delighted Percival Lowell would have been about all these Mars discoveries and the "little guys and gals" up there working away. The story about the "canals on Mars" may not have turned out the way he thought but, do I think he would be disappointed? I don't think so.
When he sent A.E. Douglass to find the perfect spot for his observatory, in his wildest dreams I don't believe that could envision the future of Martian discoveries. How could he have imagined a machine that could take pictures of the surface of the planet's surface and send those photos back to earth to be turned into the 3-D exhibit? One that would be on display in Lowell Observatory's Rotunda--at his own observatory which is still doing science after more than a hundred years. Wouldn't he be pleased that Lowell and Mars are still connected in the year 2008?
In an earlier post, I talked about how Gene Shoemaker would have wanted to be "right there" with these scientists and their project on Mars.
Today while I was watching this show, it occurred to me how delighted Percival Lowell would have been about all these Mars discoveries and the "little guys and gals" up there working away. The story about the "canals on Mars" may not have turned out the way he thought but, do I think he would be disappointed? I don't think so.
When he sent A.E. Douglass to find the perfect spot for his observatory, in his wildest dreams I don't believe that could envision the future of Martian discoveries. How could he have imagined a machine that could take pictures of the surface of the planet's surface and send those photos back to earth to be turned into the 3-D exhibit? One that would be on display in Lowell Observatory's Rotunda--at his own observatory which is still doing science after more than a hundred years. Wouldn't he be pleased that Lowell and Mars are still connected in the year 2008?
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
A New Perspective on Mars at Lowell
On Saturday evening, October 25, 2008, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Lowell Observatory will host the grand opening of an international exhibit created by the German Space Agency. "A New Perspective on Mars" is making its first stop in the western United States at Lowell and will be on display from October 22 through December 3, 2008.
At 5:45 p.m., Dr. Ralf Jaumann, Head of DLR's Planetary Geology Section and Experiment Manager for the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on Mars Express, will give a 15-minute presentation.
Be sure to put this on your weekend calendar. This is a great opportunity to hear Dr. Jaumann and see this exhibit that comes to Flagstaff after visiting Europe, Canada and the United Nations.
Thanks to Steele Wotkyns, Lowell Observatory Public Relations Manager for the advisory about this grand opening.
This showcase of large-format images from the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft will be on display in Lowell Observatory's Rotunda. The Rotunda is a great choice. It's a wonderful building, filled with history. Obviously one of my favorite places.
At 5:45 p.m., Dr. Ralf Jaumann, Head of DLR's Planetary Geology Section and Experiment Manager for the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on Mars Express, will give a 15-minute presentation.
Be sure to put this on your weekend calendar. This is a great opportunity to hear Dr. Jaumann and see this exhibit that comes to Flagstaff after visiting Europe, Canada and the United Nations.
Thanks to Steele Wotkyns, Lowell Observatory Public Relations Manager for the advisory about this grand opening.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Yet Another Mars Lander Update
This little guy just keeps amazing us all. We first talked about the Flagstaff to Mars connection on June 21, 2008 and then on June 26, 2008, we learned that the Phoenix Mars Lander scooped up soil that appears to contain all the requirements to support life.
But, there's more. Today, we have this headline, "NASA Spacecraft Confirms Martian Water, Mission Extended," from NASA and the University of Arizona. Mars Lander finally got a soil into its "oven" for testing. This test confirmed what the camera saw, the ice in the soil where the Lander was digging.
This is really intriguing. Makes one wonder what may be discovered during the rest of the mission which has be extended through the end of September.
Stay tuned for more results.
But, there's more. Today, we have this headline, "NASA Spacecraft Confirms Martian Water, Mission Extended," from NASA and the University of Arizona. Mars Lander finally got a soil into its "oven" for testing. This test confirmed what the camera saw, the ice in the soil where the Lander was digging.
This is really intriguing. Makes one wonder what may be discovered during the rest of the mission which has be extended through the end of September.
Stay tuned for more results.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Mars Lander Update
Reuters just posted this article, Martian soil appears able to support life, on it's website.
Since we talked about the Flagstaff to Mars Connection on June 21, 2008, I wanted to give you this update. Writer Jill Sergeant says "flabbergasted" NASA scientists are saying the Phoenix Mars Lander has scooped up soil that appears to contain all the requirements to support life, finding nothing toxic.
Although this is very preliminary data, you can tell that these scientists are extremely surprised, encouraged and excited. Just read this quote, "When told the pH levels, one colleague 'jumped up and down as if he had the winning lottery ticket, 'mission soil analysis specialist Michael Hecht told a telephone news conference."
We are all going to be following this little visitor to Mars even more closely.
Since we talked about the Flagstaff to Mars Connection on June 21, 2008, I wanted to give you this update. Writer Jill Sergeant says "flabbergasted" NASA scientists are saying the Phoenix Mars Lander has scooped up soil that appears to contain all the requirements to support life, finding nothing toxic.
Although this is very preliminary data, you can tell that these scientists are extremely surprised, encouraged and excited. Just read this quote, "When told the pH levels, one colleague 'jumped up and down as if he had the winning lottery ticket, 'mission soil analysis specialist Michael Hecht told a telephone news conference."
We are all going to be following this little visitor to Mars even more closely.
NASA Photo
Saturday, June 21, 2008
From Flagstaff to Mars--The Connections
NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Confirms Frozen Water
June 20, 2008 -- Scientists relishing confirmation of water ice near the surface beside NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander anticipate even bigger discoveries from the robotic mission in the weeks ahead. "It is with great pride and a lot of joy that I announce today that we have found proof that this hard bright material is really water ice and not some other substance," said Phoenix Principal Investigator Peter Smith of the University of Arizona, Tucson, during a Friday news briefing to announce the confirmation of water ice. For the rest of the story and photos visit the Phoenix Mars Mission at the University of Arizona.
Mars is definitely a long road trip from Flagstaff, but reading about this extremely important discovery made me think how Gene Shoemaker would have wanted be right in the middle of this proud group of men. And that brings us to the Flagstaff connection--the Astrogeology Research Program that was founded in 1961 by Gene Shoemaker (1928-1997). He died tragically in an automobile accident in 1997. The program he started, and contributed so much to, lives on with a team of over 80 diverse participants. In 2002 the program moved into its new home, the Shoemaker Center for Astrogeology on the USGS Flagstaff Science Center campus. It's located next to Buffalo Park, 2400 N. Gemini Road.
Here you can read about Gene Shoemaker and the history of the Astrogeology Research Program, including how they and Flagstaff contributed to astronaunt training and missions to the moon . Link out from that page to a list of recommended reading, including an online book and a link to "Romance to Reality: a site warehousing over 300 summaries and descriptions of classic, seminal, and illustrative Moon and Mars exploration and studies dating from the 1950's to present," which is broken. Now that sounds like one extremely interesting collection. However, a quick Google search leads to a page on the Mars Institute website, titled Romance to Reality: moon & Mars plans, which requires a bit more research. Happy hunting. I'll see if I can find more info since this page doesn't tell us about the current progress of the books (another broken link.) Seems a shame that the material is no longer available. Sometimes a trail begins and ends unexpectedly.
But, back to the Flagstaff to Mars connection, actually connections, when you consider not only the Astrogeology Research Program, but the history of Lowell Observatory and how it came to be built in Flagstaff.
Want to see how the Astrogeology Research Program is still directly connected to Mars? Go to the Upcoming Missions. Gene Shoemaker must be proud of the work that is continuing to be done on the foundation that he built.
June 20, 2008 -- Scientists relishing confirmation of water ice near the surface beside NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander anticipate even bigger discoveries from the robotic mission in the weeks ahead. "It is with great pride and a lot of joy that I announce today that we have found proof that this hard bright material is really water ice and not some other substance," said Phoenix Principal Investigator Peter Smith of the University of Arizona, Tucson, during a Friday news briefing to announce the confirmation of water ice. For the rest of the story and photos visit the Phoenix Mars Mission at the University of Arizona.
Mars is definitely a long road trip from Flagstaff, but reading about this extremely important discovery made me think how Gene Shoemaker would have wanted be right in the middle of this proud group of men. And that brings us to the Flagstaff connection--the Astrogeology Research Program that was founded in 1961 by Gene Shoemaker (1928-1997). He died tragically in an automobile accident in 1997. The program he started, and contributed so much to, lives on with a team of over 80 diverse participants. In 2002 the program moved into its new home, the Shoemaker Center for Astrogeology on the USGS Flagstaff Science Center campus. It's located next to Buffalo Park, 2400 N. Gemini Road.
Here you can read about Gene Shoemaker and the history of the Astrogeology Research Program, including how they and Flagstaff contributed to astronaunt training and missions to the moon . Link out from that page to a list of recommended reading, including an online book and a link to "Romance to Reality: a site warehousing over 300 summaries and descriptions of classic, seminal, and illustrative Moon and Mars exploration and studies dating from the 1950's to present," which is broken. Now that sounds like one extremely interesting collection. However, a quick Google search leads to a page on the Mars Institute website, titled Romance to Reality: moon & Mars plans, which requires a bit more research. Happy hunting. I'll see if I can find more info since this page doesn't tell us about the current progress of the books (another broken link.) Seems a shame that the material is no longer available. Sometimes a trail begins and ends unexpectedly.
But, back to the Flagstaff to Mars connection, actually connections, when you consider not only the Astrogeology Research Program, but the history of Lowell Observatory and how it came to be built in Flagstaff.
Want to see how the Astrogeology Research Program is still directly connected to Mars? Go to the Upcoming Missions. Gene Shoemaker must be proud of the work that is continuing to be done on the foundation that he built.
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