Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Curiosity on Mars: Still Life with Rover

NASA ^ | August 18, 2012 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: What does the Curiosity rover look like on Mars? To help find out, NASA engineers digitally synthesized multiple navigation camera images taken last week into what appears to be the view of a single camera. Besides clods of Martian dirt, many of Curiosity's science instruments are visible and appear in good shape. Near the middle of the rover is an augmented reality tag intended to enable smartphones to provide background information. Far in the distance is a wall of Gale Crater. As Curiosity will begin to roll soon, its first destination has now been chosen: an intriguing intersection of three types of terrain named Glenelg.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit: NASA, JPL-Caltech]

[SunkenCiv]

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[downtownconservative]

Interestingly, NASA couldn’t go green with Curiosity by using solar panels for power. Previous rovers died on Mars due to dust coverage that prevented recharging of the batteries. Curiosity is nuclear powered. Maybe there’s a moral here...

[martin_fierro]

3-D Panorama

[Joseph Harrolds]

I think the moral is that a vehicle the size of a Buick can’t drive around using solar panels for power.  If NASA could have used solar in this case, I’m sure they would have; it would surely be less expensive.

[WSGilcrest]

I don’t see any tire tracks yet. This thing still sitting where it landed?

[Salamander]

“This thing still sitting where it landed?”

Apparently the Martian DMV isn’t any more efficient than ours.

[NASA shouldn’t have gone with vanity plates]

[Blado]

The most expensive photograph of Apache Junction yet.

[Blado]

By the way ~ on a more serious note ~ how do you get a giant mountain (Mt. Sharp) made out of eroded sedimentary layers ~ in the middle of a giant (presumably) ancient crater?

Still can’t wrap my mind around Martian geology.

[103198]

Yes, more nukes, less kooks...

[103198]

NASA would have used PV solar if they could because of politics - not cost. The solar array for Curiosity and it's batteries would dramatically increase the size, throw weight, etc. of the project. The PU generator is small and has a very high density energy production. Nuclear power generation of electricity is far lower cost on earth than PV solar, so why wouldn't it even be more so on a planet with less sunlight and a very simple radioisotope electric generator?

[mikrofon]

What’s the lawn mower w/ the bagger for ;?

[Mmogamer]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gale_%28crater%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_crater

First is where Curiosity is parked and talks about the central peak, second is impact craters in general.

[Mmogamer]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeolis_Mons

article about the peak itself.

[SunkenCiv]

Once it starts rolling, it’ll require much less direction from Earth. Instead of programming each day’s route based on the current pix, this newest rover is self-guided and autonomous.

Of course, eventually it’ll show up in Earth orbit as the core of a huge alien probe...

[SunkenCiv]

Big rocks come down and blow out craters. Mars’ entire surface is cratered, and separated into two parts, the Hemisphere of Craters, and the Opposite Hemisphere.

Red Planet’s Ancient Equator Located
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1390424/posts

Meteorite Impacts Expose Ice on Mars
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2348247/posts

NASA unveils ‘stunning’ close-ups of massive crater on Mars - Victoria crater
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1715286/posts

Scientists Baffled by ‘Bootprint’ on Mars
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2580612/posts

Wind and water have shaped Schiaparelli on Mars
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2640637/posts

[SunkenCiv]

:’D

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks 103198.

[SunkenCiv]

There’s also a chain saw on a robotic arm, for when it encounters the banyan forests.