* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: Mars Reconnaissance orbiter

Blobrana · L

New images for 23 December 2009

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Dark Sand and Bright Bedrock in Terra Meridiani (PSP_001493_1815) This image shows dark sand covering bright bedrock in the Terra Meridiani region of Mars.	Edge Along Gale Crater Interior Mound (PSP_001488_1750) Gale Crater is one of several craters around the equator that have deposits of light-toned layered deposits.	Exposure of Polar Layered Deposits with Unconformities (PSP_001398_2615) This image shows a portion of the north polar layered deposits, that have been deposited over an extensive area at both poles possibly throughout Martian history.
Bouncing Boulders (PSP_001385_1985) In this image we see examples of boulders that have bounced downhill, not necessarily vertically.	Search for Mars Polar Lander (ESP_014423_1040) Somewhere in this patterned landscape less than 1,000 km from the south pole of Mars, a treasure may be hiding.	Gullies on the Northwest Rim of Hale Crater (ESP_014074_1445) While the origin of these gullies is not clear, some have attributes similar to their counterparts on the Earth that result from flowing water.
The Dark Spot on Mars (ESP_013951_1955) Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens' 17th century drawing of Mars included a dark spot we now call Syrtis Major.

Blobrana · L

New images for 16 December 2009

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New Impact Crater (Formed between Jan 2006 & May 2008) (PSP_010862_1880) Why should we care about such a small, plain crater? One reason is that it's extremely young.	Holden Crater Megabreccia: A Telltale Sign of a Sudden and Violent Event (PSP_001666_1530) Breccia is a rock typically consisting of rock fragments of various sizes and shapes that have been broken, tumbled and cemented together in sudden geologic event.	Faults and Pits in the North Polar Residual Ice Cap (PSP_001513_2650) The faults and depressions are similar to features seen on Earth where the crust is being pulled apart.
Alluvial Fans in Mojave Crater: Did It Rain on Mars? (PSP_001415_1875) Alluvial fans are fan-shaped deposits of water-transported material.	North Polar Layered Deposits in Head Scarp of Chasma Boreale (PSP_001334_2645) Exposures such as these are useful in understanding the recent climate variations that are likely recorded in the polar layered deposits.

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Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Resumes Observations

Researchers are receiving new science data from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter after the spacecraft's six science instruments resumed observations today.
Observations had been suspended since a computer reset Aug. 26. During the time since then, engineers analysed a series of previous computer resets by the spacecraft and completed preventive care to guard against a vulnerability identified by that analysis.
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New images for 11 December 2009

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Faulting in Amazonis Planitia (PSP_001578_2000) This HiRISE image is centered on a long "strike-slip" fault on the young plains in the Amazonis region of Mars.	Light Layered Deposits in Valles Marineris (PSP_001456_1695) Bright layered deposits near the junction of Coprates Chasma and Melas Chasma, part of Valles Marineris.	Layers in Gale Crater Central Mound (PSP_001422_1750) A portion of the central mound in the impact crater Gale that is of interest to scientists because it is composed of light-toned layered deposits.
Impact Crater Filled with Layered Deposits (PSP_001410_2210) The hummocky texture of these deposits suggests that volatiles (such as carbon dioxide ice) are mixed in with the rocky sediment.	Martian Barchans (ESP_014404_1765) These dunes are very distinctive in shape, and are important because they can tell scientists about the environment in which they formed.

Blobrana · L

Spacecraft Out of Safe Mode

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory News and Features: NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter today has been taken out of the precautionary 'safe mode' it had been in since August.
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Blobrana · L

New images for 2 December 2009

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Dusty Top of Alba Patera Volcano (PSP_001510_2195) This volcano has shallower slopes than most of the other large volcanoes on Mars.	Floor of Kasei Valles (PSP_001456_2010) A wonderfully complex surface on the floor of this ancient flood-carved canyon.	Flows in Athabasca Valles Source Region (PSP_001408_1900) Thin flows cover the plains just north of the source region for the Athabasca Valles channel system.
Lobate Debris Apron in Tempe Terra/Mareotis Fossae (PSP_001390_2290) Debris aprons were first discovered in regions of "fretted terrain" from analyses of images sent back by the Viking Orbiter.	Different Types of Gullies (ESP_013948_1410) Gullies are a popular target because their formation is still being debated.

Blobrana · L

New images for 25 November 2009

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Winter View of Dunes (PSP_001558_1325) This observation documents new seasonal processes occurring on dunes, as well as other interesting phenomena.	Martian Dichotomy Boundary (PSP_001414_2165) It has been proposed that the lowland in this observation was once filled by an ocean.	Wall Rock and Light-Toned Layering in Candor Chasma (PSP_001390_1735) This HiRISE image shows the two geologic units in Candor Chasma, one of several canyons that make up Valles Marineris.
Valles Marineris Wall Rock (PSP_001337_1675) This image captures a small part of the northern wall of Valles Marineris, the largest canyon in the solar system.	Gullies and Flow Features on Crater Wall (ESP_013726_1475) This image shows a sample of the variety and complexity of processes that may occur on the walls of Martian craters.

Blobrana · L

New images for 18 November 2009

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South Polar Carbon Dioxide Ice Cap (ESP_014261_0930) Because Mars is so much colder, the seasonal ice that gets deposited at high latitudes in the winter and is removed in the spring is actually carbon dioxide ice.	Possible Cyclic Bedding in Arabia Terra (ESP_014033_1910)	Sample South Mid-Latitude Terrain (ESP_013557_1245)
Gullies in Northern Hemisphere Crater (ESP_013533_2170)	Proposed MSL Landing Site in Eberswalde Crater (ESP_013533_1560)

-- Edited by Blobrana on Wednesday 18th of November 2009 11:35:18 PM

Blobrana · L

New images for 4 November 2009

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Pitted Layers Northeast of Hellas Region (PSP_010839_1525)	Evolution of the South Polar Residual Cap (PSP_004687_0930) As on Earth, the seasonal frost caps of Mars grow and recede each year.	Southeastern Margin of Athabasca Valles (ESP_014304_1895)
Gullies with Dark Channels (ESP_014296_1255)	Sand Dunes (ESP_014291_1120)