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 University of Arizona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label University of Arizona. 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?
Thursday, August 28, 2008
CLIMAS Southwest Climate Outlook
The August 2008 Southwest Climate Outlook from Climate Assessment for the Southwest (CLIMAS) at the University of Arizona.
This is such an easily digested overview of our climate conditions. It covers drought, temperature, precipitation (including Monsoon) and ENSO conditions.
Their summary may surprise you:
"The Bottom Line - Monsoon storms have delivered variable but copious amounts of precipitation. In many parts of New Mexico, monsoon rain is above average. These rains have helped New Mexico experience widespread short-term drought improvements. Extremely dry conditions in northern Arizona counties have harmed many crops."
To get more details from this report, you can view or download the pdf by following the link above.
This is such an easily digested overview of our climate conditions. It covers drought, temperature, precipitation (including Monsoon) and ENSO conditions.
Their summary may surprise you:
"The Bottom Line - Monsoon storms have delivered variable but copious amounts of precipitation. In many parts of New Mexico, monsoon rain is above average. These rains have helped New Mexico experience widespread short-term drought improvements. Extremely dry conditions in northern Arizona counties have harmed many crops."
To get more details from this report, you can view or download the pdf by following the link above.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
USArray Seismic Stations and NAU
Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University and University of Arizona earth scientists will be able to analyze and interpret data from eight USArray stations. The news release headline, dated July 28, 2008, read: "Arizona Geological Survey Receives FEMA Grant to Improve Earthquake Monitoring & Risk Assessment in Arizona."
From the news release, "The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $493,678 as a Pre-Disaster Mitigation Competitive Grant to the consortium headed by the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) to improve earthquake monitoring and revisit seismic hazard assessment in Arizona. AZGS and the three universities are providing $172,000 in matching funds." This is the first time that FEMA has made funds available in this way.
This means that Arizona will be able to keep eight of the 58 stations which have been monitoring seismic activity in Arizona for almost two years and will be moving to another part of the United States in October 2008.
For more information see the Arizona Geological Survey webpage, Improving Earthquake Monitoring & Risk Assessment in Arizona.
So, once again NAU is involved in a project very important to Arizona and the local community.
From the news release, "The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $493,678 as a Pre-Disaster Mitigation Competitive Grant to the consortium headed by the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) to improve earthquake monitoring and revisit seismic hazard assessment in Arizona. AZGS and the three universities are providing $172,000 in matching funds." This is the first time that FEMA has made funds available in this way.
This means that Arizona will be able to keep eight of the 58 stations which have been monitoring seismic activity in Arizona for almost two years and will be moving to another part of the United States in October 2008.
For more information see the Arizona Geological Survey webpage, Improving Earthquake Monitoring & Risk Assessment in Arizona.
So, once again NAU is involved in a project very important to Arizona and the local community.
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.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
North American Monsoon
Did you know that our monsoon rains actually have a name? According to CLIMAS at the University of Arizona, this major Southwest climate feature is called the North American Monsoon (NAM) and gives us our precious summer rains.
This climate system is featured in a new report, Border Climate Summary, which I just received from CLIMAS. You can download it as a pdf. The Coconino Chronicles first looked at Climate Assessment for the Southwest in this post.
The Border Climate Summary gives an excellent overview of the NAM and some programs that are currently underway to track and predict these vital monsoon rains.
This climate system is featured in a new report, Border Climate Summary, which I just received from CLIMAS. You can download it as a pdf. The Coconino Chronicles first looked at Climate Assessment for the Southwest in this post.
The Border Climate Summary gives an excellent overview of the NAM and some programs that are currently underway to track and predict these vital monsoon rains.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Southwest Climate Outlook
Let's take a look at CLIMAS, Climate Assessment for the Southwest, at the University of Arizona. Some really interesting material, including current outlook and historyof climate, drought, and fire potential are available.
You can download a paper on the "current state of knowledge concerning the climate of the Southwest." It's under Publications, called The Climate of the Southwest by Paul R. Sheppard, et al. If you prefer, you can watch a slide presentation by David P. Brown on the same subject. These were both done in 1999, but so much historical information.
For more current information, you can read online, or download a pdf, of the May 2008 issue Southwest Climate Outlook. This excellent resource is published monthly. The archive goes back through 2002, with older versions available upon email request. There's also an archive of the feature articles from past issues.
You can join the mailing list to receive the Southwest Climate Outlook each month. Just follow the directions here.
Be sure and explore all options on this site. It is filled with dozens of downloads.
You can download a paper on the "current state of knowledge concerning the climate of the Southwest." It's under Publications, called The Climate of the Southwest by Paul R. Sheppard, et al. If you prefer, you can watch a slide presentation by David P. Brown on the same subject. These were both done in 1999, but so much historical information.
For more current information, you can read online, or download a pdf, of the May 2008 issue Southwest Climate Outlook. This excellent resource is published monthly. The archive goes back through 2002, with older versions available upon email request. There's also an archive of the feature articles from past issues.
You can join the mailing list to receive the Southwest Climate Outlook each month. Just follow the directions here.
Be sure and explore all options on this site. It is filled with dozens of downloads.
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