* Astronomy

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has completed its primary, two-year science phase. The spacecraft has found signs of a complex Martian history of climate change that produced a diversity of past watery environments.
The orbiter has returned 73 terabits of science data, more than all earlier Mars missions combined. The spacecraft will build on this record as it continues to examine Mars in unprecedented detail during its next two-year phase of science operations.

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Public Presentation About Mars Orbiter's Images and Findings
Mars scientists will present dramatic images and key findings from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter at a free evening program in Pasadena on Thursday, Dec. 4, celebrating completion of the mission's first two-year science phase.
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has already collected more data than all other past and current Mars missions combined. Its findings point to a complex history of climate change on the Red Planet, both early in its history and in more recent times.
The orbiter has cameras examining Mars at scales from revealing details the size of a desk to providing daily weather observations of the entire planet. Other instruments map minerals on the surface, probe with radar beneath the surface and monitor the atmosphere.
The public program will being at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 in the von Karman Auditorium at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Dr. , Pasadena.

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New images for 26 November 2008

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Yardangs in South Amazonis (PSP_010334_1760) Yardangs typically form in dry, desert environments with strong prevailing winds that are unidirectional.	Volcanic Fissure Vent in Elysium Planitia (PSP_010269_1900) The most prominent feature in this image is the discontinuous line of pits and troughs that cuts across its center.	Aeolian Features, Large and Small (PSP_010221_1420) Dust devils form in many parts of Mars, but they are often particularly distinct on sand dunes.
Complex Terrain East of Holden Crater (PSP_010197_1540) This fascinating distribution of materials and landforms comprises a spectacular landscape.	Hydraotes Chaos (PSP_009709_1810) The mesa located in the center of the image has elongated depressions that might be evidence of past fluvial activity.	Meander in Valley Network (PSP_009706_2125) As a target for HiRISE. However, at HiRISE resolution the valley is visible throughout its course.
Student Image of the Week: Kasei Valles (PSP_006005_2050) This image was suggested by Kathleen Hartrum's middle school science club at Conestoga Middle School in Beaverton, Oregon.

New images for 19 November 2008

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Light-Toned Rocks in Terra Meridiani (PSP_010222_1815) At the finest scale, the light sediments visible in this image are intricately textured.	Dunes in Abalos Undae (PSP_010219_2785) It is possible that the dunes are no longer migrating and the tiny ripples are the only active parts today.	Reading the Rock Record at Nili Fossae (PSP_010206_1975) This image captures a record of changing environments on ancient Mars, as recorded in the rock record at Nili Fossae.
Stratigraphy of the North Polar Deposits (PSP_010198_2645) This image is particularly interesting because it crosses complicated trough geometry, making the layers appear curved and exposing multiple stratigraphic levels.	Colourful Ancient Rocks Near Mawrth Vallis (PSP_010183_2035) Polygonal fracture patterns (similar to a tiled floor) are visible on the surfaces of some of these rocks.	Barchan Dunes in Chasma Boreale (PSP_010169_2650) Barchan dunes are also commonly found on Earth, and are crescent-shaped with a steep slip face bordered by horns oriented in the downwind direction.
Western Rim Region of Korolev Crater (PSP_007961_2530) At highest resolution both bright and dark areas of the surface are covered by polygonal fracture patterns