Showing posts with label space shuttle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label space shuttle. Show all posts

Monday, July 9, 2012

Mars Is Calling !

I had photos from my latest adventure and then saw one of the following pictures on the news and could not resist going to the NASA website to show you a few more. These are all photos taken by the latest generation of Mars Rover and they are clear beyond belief. I was more than happy to adhere to their requirement and say that these photos have been provided Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech. As usual click each photo for a better view. 

Before we get into a look at the surface some history is in order. Here is a picture of three generations of Rovers. While you almost expect to see R2-D2 they are not far from fiction becoming reality and look quite close to what we have seen in the movies.


Next, comes a view of the current Rover. The photo almost looks like a fractal as you view the various panels. I guess a lot of that has to do with the way they have pieced together various pictures to provide a complete image. 












And now, lets go for a trip on the surface. Here is a low light image. You can see parts of the Rover that took the image.
















Talking about R2-D2, my favorite is this one that once again has been stitched together to create one image. You can clearly make out the tracks of the Rover in the background as it drove to get to this spot. Salvador Dali would have loved this view!


I'm sure we will be seeing more pictures as I am certain NASA scientists are having great fun shifting through the data. There were also loads of multimedia examples of Rover's work, so if you have a moment, jump over to the Mars Exploration Rover Mission from the highlighted link and be even more amazed because Mars is now calling!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Crazy Over The Moon: The Best Laid Plans



Just when I figured a way to get more magnification for my moon shots... Mother Nature steps in to thwart me.



You may have heard about it on the news, A rapidly growing wildfire in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has burned more than 96 square miles of the swamp and is still going. I knew there was a smoky haze when I awoke this morning that lasted the entire day, but I hadn't thought it would be so thick that the moon would be covered in a reddish brown haze.

But, we must press on and press on I did and took my pictures. This one has a lot more detail (even if blocked by the smoke) and has now confirmed for me that it can be done. That said, I can now promise I will leave future moon shots to the space shuttle!


5-18-2011
Ok, I already admitted I have become a little obsessive about this moon thing. And, who says the shuttle has an exclusive on the subject ( I think that is what is called rationalization). I went back a few nights later and like what I got.