Telescope Reviews: The View from Spirit

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Special Ed
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Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3545
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W

The View from Spirit
#35939 - 01/04/04 01:27 PM

Hi Folks,

In case you're like me and don't have a TV or a fast internet connection, here's a link to the first images from Gusev Crater:
http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/spirit/20040104a.html

The 360 view shows a remarkably smooth surface, unlike other rock-strewn images we've seen from other missions.

Good idea with this forum, Matt.

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matt
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Reged: 07/28/03
Posts: 10022
Loc: Chaville, France

Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: Special Ed]
#35991 - 01/04/04 03:13 PM

Smooth, yeah... it could be somewhere near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

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Matt
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imjeffp
Senior Space Cadet

Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 4436
Loc: Cedar Park, Texas

Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: matt]
#36023 - 01/04/04 04:17 PM

Are there VR versions of these images anywhere yet?

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matt
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Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: imjeffp]
#36030 - 01/04/04 04:29 PM

Think about it, that flat terrain suggests that the planetary scientists who chose Gusev nailed it: they thought this was a dried lake. Well, a dried lake would leave behind a flat plain of sediments... with few or no large boulders on the surface.

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Matt
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Anonymous
Unregistered

Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: matt]
#36140 - 01/04/04 08:33 PM

They were also talking about a sinkhole not to far from the lander. I can't remember what causes them on earth though. Anyways, they're basically like potholes, and are believed to be created like potholes. To create a pothole you need: expanding and contracting of water.

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Anonymous
Unregistered

Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: ]
#36165 - 01/04/04 09:20 PM

Sinkholes are caused by underground rivers that eat away at the limestone structure, eventually causing it to collapse.

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StarWars
Postmaster

Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 11661
Loc: Cyber Space

Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: Special Ed]
#36175 - 01/04/04 09:53 PM

Wild 2 has a 3.3 mile-diameter nucleus...it's a big ice cube..

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Special Ed
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3545
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W

Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: matt]
#36196 - 01/04/04 10:42 PM

Quote:

Think about it, that flat terrain suggests that the planetary scientists who chose Gusev nailed it: they thought this was a dried lake. Well, a dried lake would leave behind a flat plain of sediments... with few or no large boulders on the surface.

I agree. They're off to a very good start. Now they need to start roving around to see what's over the horizon and digging some holes (all the while sending back pictures)

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sienarot
professor emeritus

Reged: 10/18/03
Posts: 708
Loc: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: Special Ed]
#36205 - 01/04/04 11:01 PM

They should use Spirit to go find out what happened to Beagle 2! Hahaha!

Was it only fitted with a black and white camera? It would've been cool to see some color images.

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Anonymous
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Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: sienarot]
#36230 - 01/05/04 12:24 AM

Patience, we will get to see lots of hi-res color images from spirit very soon.

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jrcrilly
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Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22479
Loc: NE Ohio

Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: imjeffp]
#36281 - 01/05/04 07:18 AM

Quote:

Are there VR versions of these images anywhere yet?

Not much yet; there's one here:
http://www.worldvr.com/nasa4.html

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desertstars
Deja moo

Reged: 11/05/03
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Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: jrcrilly]
#36935 - 01/06/04 01:41 PM

It just keeps getting better!

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html

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Bill Grass
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Reged: 10/07/03
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Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: desertstars]
#36940 - 01/06/04 01:53 PM

What a picture!!!!

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Anonymous
Unregistered

Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: Bill Grass]
#36962 - 01/06/04 02:50 PM

Fantastic image, is it me or does there appear to be mud at the bottom left of the image? it look's like the landing balloons left a imprint in mud.. Just a thought.. well a wild one.

James

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matt
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Reged: 07/28/03
Posts: 10022
Loc: Chaville, France

Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: ]
#36971 - 01/06/04 03:20 PM

on which picture do you see that, Orion?

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Matt
CI700 mount with various scopes on top.

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Anonymous
Unregistered

Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: matt]
#37018 - 01/06/04 04:07 PM

Hi matt,

Here's the link to the image be advised it's 9meg but well worth the view of splender.
Hi res image from Spirit

Regards

James

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rboe
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Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: ]
#37113 - 01/06/04 07:50 PM

Bill,we need you to alter that picture a bit. Add in a US Geological Survey marker. Say off center left. If you are really good, a smudged footprint.

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Special Ed
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3545
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W

Re: The View from Spirit new

[Re: rboe]
#37169 - 01/06/04 08:38 PM

Here's a question for someone:

Do the Rovers have any night time capabilities or do they shut down at dark? I think it was Carl Sagan who pointed out that the Viking Lander might have been surrounded every night by nocturnal Martians (in mittens and scarves) and would never know.

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