tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85751107506993224312024-03-13T02:44:48.689-07:00Celestial ImagingImagining the CosmosUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-65000600319001488982017-08-22T18:50:00.000-07:002018-01-10T19:42:42.909-08:00Photographing the Great American Solar Eclipse of 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJII6QrVVr3ryX3qa8rFqh9tHh_m0F26lWJqbTSTa0HNFZd_Zz_u7biqUUz9xOEqe-piuzrH2d5Oj1J0foyecBPsS0x2fVigD4I-kWExfqmMOVG6tBv4uM7PnJFIdgHCsjqEwx5Ki5hgc/s1600/The+Great+American+Solar+Eclipse+2017+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="904" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJII6QrVVr3ryX3qa8rFqh9tHh_m0F26lWJqbTSTa0HNFZd_Zz_u7biqUUz9xOEqe-piuzrH2d5Oj1J0foyecBPsS0x2fVigD4I-kWExfqmMOVG6tBv4uM7PnJFIdgHCsjqEwx5Ki5hgc/s400/The+Great+American+Solar+Eclipse+2017+poster.jpg" width="368" /></a></div>
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It is a rare situation when you get to gaze at an event that has not taken place in the United States for nearly 40 years. This I speak of is the Great American Solar Eclipse that took plays August 21st, 2017. Calling it the Great American Solar Eclipse may seem a big egotistical of a country to call such a celestial event as to being owned by one country. Well, it is a bit simpler then that, and is more of a matter of pride. Not that other countries have not had the same opportunity, but quite simply this event creates a few 1st times.</div>
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<ul>
<li>This is the 1st time since 1979 that a Total Solar Eclipse has been visible int he United States.</li>
<li>This is the 1st time since 1918 that a Total Solar Eclipse has been visible Coast to Coast in the United States.</li>
<li>This is the 1st time in recorded history that a Total Solar Eclipse has been visible in a single country only.</li>
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The next total eclipse to be visible in the United States will be in 2024.<br />
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<b>April 8, 2024</b><br />
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Lasting a maximum of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_April_8,_2024">4 minutes, 28 seconds</a>, this is the next major total eclipse that will hit North America.<br />
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The path of totality first hits Mexico in Mazatlán, followed by Durango, Torreón and Piedras Negras. In the US, the path of totality will pass over:<br />
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<ul>
<li>San Antonio and Dallas</li>
<li>Little Rock, Arkansas</li>
<li>Indianapolis</li>
<li>Dayton, Toledo and Cleveland, Ohio</li>
<li>Erie, Pennsylvania</li>
<li>Buffalo and Rochester, New York</li>
<li>Montpelier, Vermont</li>
<li>Caribou, Maine</li>
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With that said, I had the opportunity to venture to the West coast to view this years Eclipse. I chose not to travel north to the path of totality due to fuel cost, as stations were raising them, as well as traffic. None the less I was able to capture some "stellar" shots out of Mt. Shasta, CA.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Set up and prepared</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "proxima nova" , , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span>Arriving early at the Shastice Park, I set up my gear. My tools for this celestial event included a tripod with a video/photo rig mounted on top if, with a Canon XSi atop it. Fasten to the front was a 300mm zoom lens. While my solar protection for the lens began as a auto adjusting Welder's Mask, a nearby observer having brought a few viewing filters, gave me one in exchange for later emailing her images.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfg_dVWLTirKmVkqBCzL7ZqLpnQlg7_qCmCcn2_-ea-Hcbqw8m44a57kZlfD-hTupHltsUYrX2K6Rrhwy639ogvCiAgBkC6f-d-mJ-8pSTP53H9oeckSy-e75lcizZNbAwvVkXr0T2MA/s1600/Slide+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfg_dVWLTirKmVkqBCzL7ZqLpnQlg7_qCmCcn2_-ea-Hcbqw8m44a57kZlfD-hTupHltsUYrX2K6Rrhwy639ogvCiAgBkC6f-d-mJ-8pSTP53H9oeckSy-e75lcizZNbAwvVkXr0T2MA/s200/Slide+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph to calibrate settings<br />
photo by Errol Jud Coder</td></tr>
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As the eclipse approached is transit, predicted to be at 9:03am PST, the park began to fill. An event tent with donated mimosas, moon pies and sun chips was erected and serving people on the other end of the park. But, I kept my location, free of the crowd. Despite that fact, I still attacked people around to look at my rig anyways. Guess its to be expected. </div>
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To take photos of an object through a filter that completely blackens out everything around, but the sun is quite tricky. The settings have to be done just right to counter balance the extreme loss of light with the extreme brightness of the sun itself. It is because of the intensity of the sun that people were warned not to look through filters not designed for solar viewing, or through goggles/welder's masks of #14 darkness or darker. If done for too long, the light would fry camera sensors, and cause damage to people's eyes. So in having the appropriate equipment I made adjustments using the sun itself. My initial settings were f8.0 and 1/100th at 400 ISO.</div>
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At precisely the predicted time, the moon began to drift across the top right corner of the sun. Little by little it took bits out of the sun as if it was a wheel of cheese being chewed on by a hungry mouse. As the moon passed from the top right to bottom left, you could see the section on the right side that was left uncovered. It is this portion, nearly 10% that would have been covered were I in the path of totality, some 350 miles to the north. A</div>
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As the moon transitioned across the sun, I had to make minor adjustments as less light came through. As I made my changes over the hour, the sun continued it's path</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7M16u3p-T_KBpZnNhkBhD7Gjuk3oVKyKLiegnXQui1NaanP3-yaOXqIYszWviI-5rmYpMcjt-57v9oK-vJCZ7pDKOOOEh97_IBEHmSJSg8Ca3E97Eem7KnEKbyBz5jq8jLMXNRh9i7-E/s1600/The+Great+American+Solar+Eclipse+2017+Full+Progression.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7M16u3p-T_KBpZnNhkBhD7Gjuk3oVKyKLiegnXQui1NaanP3-yaOXqIYszWviI-5rmYpMcjt-57v9oK-vJCZ7pDKOOOEh97_IBEHmSJSg8Ca3E97Eem7KnEKbyBz5jq8jLMXNRh9i7-E/s400/The+Great+American+Solar+Eclipse+2017+Full+Progression.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full Eclipse Progression<br />
photo by Errol Jud Coder<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-21944223193730557932016-07-04T07:46:00.001-07:002016-07-04T07:46:12.594-07:00Great views of Saturn System - Jun 2nd - July 2nd, 2016<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Some great imaging was received by the Cassini space craft between Jun 4th and June 12th as it Orbited Saturn. Saturn, using is wide and narrow angle cameras captured great detail of Saturn's surface, rings, and Moons Titan and Rhea.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://saturnraw.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/raw/casJPGFullS94/W00099539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="http://saturnraw.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/raw/casJPGFullS94/W00099539.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 22.8571px;">Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">On June 2nd, while turning to face it's moon Rhea, Cassini captured this image of the atmosphere of Saturn, including its northern polar region. This is using the <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.8571px; text-align: start;">CB2 and CL2 filters</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://saturnraw.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/raw/casJPGFullS94/N00261551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="http://saturnraw.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/raw/casJPGFullS94/N00261551.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.8571px;">Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">On June 3rd, angled its narrow angle camera towards its moon Rhea using its <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.8571px;">P0 and UV3 filters. It is illuminated as a full sunlit disk revealing its prominent craters. As you can see, it is much like our own moon.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://saturnraw.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/raw/casJPGFullS94/N00261571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="http://saturnraw.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/raw/casJPGFullS94/N00261571.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">On June 4th, Cassini aimed it's narrow angle camera at Saturn's largest moon capturing this image with its <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.8571px;">CL1 and CB3 filters</span>, Titan. Titan is covered with a methane case. You can see the atmosphere layer. The darker regions are surface features seen through the cloud layer.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://saturnraw.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/raw/casJPGFullS94/W00099641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="http://saturnraw.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/raw/casJPGFullS94/W00099641.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 22.8571px;"><span style="color: white;">Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">And finally, as it has swung around from its view on Titan, Cassini captured Saturn in all it's glory as it faces directly at Saturn, swooping down below its southern pole. The rights are very prominent in this image. Cassini at this time has passed the plane of its rings going from above the rings, capturing images, then passed below the rings looking out the south pole This is using its <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.8571px; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22.8571px; text-align: start;">CL1 and Infrared 1 filters</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://saturnraw.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/raw/casJPGFullS95/N00263068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="http://saturnraw.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/raw/casJPGFullS95/N00263068.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.8571px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: small;">Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.8571px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: small;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">As Cassini heads back north passed the plane of its rings again, it looks down at the rings on July 2nd. Top right of the screen you can see the white dot, that appears to be one of Saturns moons inside the inner ring.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-71242614195456339522016-02-14T19:42:00.002-08:002016-02-14T19:54:59.863-08:00Sol 1249: Curiosity Rover Panorama at Namib Dune<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong style="background-color: #fffdfc; color: #475870; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Image Credit:</strong><span style="background-color: #fffdfc; color: #475870; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/composite by Errol Jud Coder<br />click image to enlarge</span></td></tr>
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Mars Science Labatory (MSL) or more commonly referred to as "Curiosity" has continued her trek along the surface of Gale Crater on Mars, as she continues en-route for climbing Mt. Sharp.</div>
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This is a 5 image composite panorama, captured by the color imaging system of the Narrow Angle Mastcam on Curiosity from Sol 1249 on February 10th, 2016. Upon close examination it shows curiosity is on a rise with a lower field with in the crater beyond. You can see the variation in the different geological structures found on the surface, from scrapes, gullies small rocks, and in the distance, the rising edge of the crater rim itself.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-55628095161153161052014-09-19T17:29:00.000-07:002014-09-19T17:36:10.953-07:0067P/C-G-How to measure comet geological structures using shadowsWhile composing the various images of comet 67P/C-G, I noticed a number of sharply angled structures that when viewing their shadows, appeared to be much more jagged and higher then appeared. It came to me how interesting how it might be to understand the scale of many of the objects and structures of craters and mounds that we generally either see overhead or at an angle as observed from the Rosetta orbiter.<br />
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To measure distance of an object you cant directly measure, like on Earth when seen from orbit, you need a couple pieces of information. Using trigonometry, the phase angle of the sun, and the known distance in pixels of an image, this can happen. After requesting it on the Sep 11 composite post on the ESA Rosetta forums, the first inclusion of the phase angle "angle the sun is pointing at the comet" was included in the <a href="http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2014/09/17/cometwatch-14-september/" target="_blank">Sep 14 image pos</a>t.<br />
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To show you how this works, I am using the Sep 14 composite image I stitched together from the three images captured by Rosetta.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lpi.usra.edu/exploration/training/resources/measuring_meteor_crater/daedalus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.lpi.usra.edu/exploration/training/resources/measuring_meteor_crater/daedalus.png" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, what are our initial measurements?<br />
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We are told that the phase angle is 61.5 degrees<br />
We are observing 2.5 meters per pixel. It is roughly .400m/pixel<br />
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We now need to determine the sun's azimuth. Making up North on the image. Measuring the angle of the shadow to the E/W line, it can be determined the azimuth to be 270 degrees.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvZ8VVIdNLGQPt_OO91OIhYcPIhYmYYduhQd6DCLRuYseo9rizt0iYOnMxARUwZtrkLhrL6y3HCi7pFgKOEC-XhHKs6taXWqpJ6uAI2q1UAdyivYqWKHZ8LwabNCkCJqIW2phpdYZzAM/s1600/ROS_CAM1_20140914_B_stitch+with+credit+measuring+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvZ8VVIdNLGQPt_OO91OIhYcPIhYmYYduhQd6DCLRuYseo9rizt0iYOnMxARUwZtrkLhrL6y3HCi7pFgKOEC-XhHKs6taXWqpJ6uAI2q1UAdyivYqWKHZ8LwabNCkCJqIW2phpdYZzAM/s1600/ROS_CAM1_20140914_B_stitch+with+credit+measuring+jpg.jpg" height="320" width="303" /></a></div>
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How do we apply all this information to determine depth/height?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Nh0-jiELkC1p_sx4HRc-FehpPERc-hnlvGFHal4rdmG5E2vweiq3hy_hMfCVHRbklOJFWCD-pdVOak66xb9qiPMte3DDswi99JaCuGAwRG4RXw9kJQVEnXqo65O-ijVzweQMKjgxU-4/s1600/Comet914+measure+shadow+length+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Nh0-jiELkC1p_sx4HRc-FehpPERc-hnlvGFHal4rdmG5E2vweiq3hy_hMfCVHRbklOJFWCD-pdVOak66xb9qiPMte3DDswi99JaCuGAwRG4RXw9kJQVEnXqo65O-ijVzweQMKjgxU-4/s1600/Comet914+measure+shadow+length+jpg.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>1. First measure the distance from the top of a feature, to the end of the shadow.<br />
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This feature is measured at 67.7 pixels. If you multiply it by 2.5m/pix, you arrive at a distance from top of feature to end of shadow as 169.25m.<br />
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2. Now plug in the numbers to the equation.<br />
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d=169.25m*tan(61.5degrees)<br />
d=<span class="dcg-template-expressioneach dcg-hovered">308.5</span><br />
<span class="dcg-template-expressioneach dcg-hovered">d=309m</span><br />
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<span class="dcg-template-expressioneach dcg-hovered">If we then apply the same method to the little hill to the upper right of this formation we get a height of 107m.</span><br />
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<span class="dcg-template-expressioneach dcg-hovered">Now using this method, knowing the phase angle of 61.5 degrees, and measuring the pixel distance you can determine the estimated depth of craters and height of features. As long as the Rosetta forum mods include the phase angle in each of their image submissions, this can be done.</span> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-62911856483590727532014-09-12T23:04:00.000-07:002014-09-12T23:04:14.124-07:00Cassini capturing storm on Saturn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCZCUh95BZ-MK56lh7slSw4K8dRjS8FPVcRJP2IAyElyHZcmnOHsdX7tj46xlR7fjY8IMF1hzRbZXFwYs9NV7jikO9ec43-v9hA5xm0SxiVKAcWiwsV7fwDwGWDF5t34rB7aKXzoEz1s/s1600/Saturn+CB2+MT2+and+IR3+Sep+10+14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCZCUh95BZ-MK56lh7slSw4K8dRjS8FPVcRJP2IAyElyHZcmnOHsdX7tj46xlR7fjY8IMF1hzRbZXFwYs9NV7jikO9ec43-v9hA5xm0SxiVKAcWiwsV7fwDwGWDF5t34rB7aKXzoEz1s/s1600/Saturn+CB2+MT2+and+IR3+Sep+10+14.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: VERDANA,HELVETICA,ARIAL; font-size: x-small;">NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute/Errol Coder
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Captured at <span style="font-family: VERDANA,HELVETICA,ARIAL; font-size: x-small;">approximately 1,624,665 miles (2,614,645 kilometers) away from Saturn, this image composed of 3 other images using the MT2, CB2, and IR filters of the Cassini orbiter, this image seen in false color details the different cloud structures of the Atmosphere. The cloud walls are clearly visible rotating around the central storm that resembles the one on Jupiter a great deal.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-66857452274039147802014-09-12T00:20:00.001-07:002014-09-12T21:45:48.227-07:00 Comet 67P/C-G - Possible evidense of dust vent?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oobdQC1bJ-czNQLljLIHxhMKjE51L-wFDbruosRuHNskblTwDE9kiNVQS1h6VxyPVohZaQmU9HiN_fdOWx0AzY6B8otoq5gQUOiZiIOx5Rd6mP7I7irUAFCydjNitc8CsmI1W6URVYM/s1600/ESA_Rosetta_NAVCAM_Aug17_Sep11_Compare+with+credit+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oobdQC1bJ-czNQLljLIHxhMKjE51L-wFDbruosRuHNskblTwDE9kiNVQS1h6VxyPVohZaQmU9HiN_fdOWx0AzY6B8otoq5gQUOiZiIOx5Rd6mP7I7irUAFCydjNitc8CsmI1W6URVYM/s1600/ESA_Rosetta_NAVCAM_Aug17_Sep11_Compare+with+credit+jpg.jpg" height="261" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click image to enlarge</td></tr>
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On August 17, 2014 the left image was captured. What appears to be a discoloration or shadowing in the crater stretching across a number of different boulders seems to no longer appear on the new image captured on September 10, 2014. The Sep 10 image doesn't seem to show any ridge or anything that may have caused this line of darkness. I attempted to color code a version of the above image to pinpoint which lines were in line, but it was a no go. Too many differences in stone orientation.<br />
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I wonder if this could perhaps be evidence of some sort of linear vent? The area along the line in the Aug 17 images appears rougher and more stones seems to be along the discoloration. Yet, when we see it again in the Sep 10 image, the area seems to be a lot more smoother, perhaps the smaller stones/boulders having been covered by the dust? Though, is there enough of a centripetal force for dust to settle?<br />
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Additionally, in the lower left of the right image, there does appear to be a round O shaped feature like a "Cheerio." The way the shadowing is seems to appear it has a pit veres the top or jagged edge of another boulder. Could this also be a vent? It does also seem to be there on the left as of the "Aug 17" image.<br />
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<i><span style="color: red;">Update 1 - Sep 12</span></i><br />
I rewatched the arrival conference video. http://wpc.50e6.edgecastcdn.net/8050E6/mmedia-http/download/public/videos/2014/08/010/1408_010_AR_EN.mp4 <br />
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When they approached the comet and was testing out VIRTIS, they detected that the minimum mean temperature of the comet seems to be coming from the neck. We must then ask, why? We have seen images of direct sunlight, and it was getting direct sunlight at the time of the measurement. The max temperature came from a section on the "Body", the mid temp was on the "head", and minimum on the neck. The areas void of volatiles and are pores are the locations with the max temp. Does this mean there is either more volatiles and the area is less pores at the neck?<br />
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The Sep 2 image did show out gassing at the neck, which would seem to make sense if there were more volatiles there. <br />
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We also saw jets at the plains area on the underside of the "body". Im interested in measurements there, and at the large plains area on the crown of the "head" as seen in my comparison. It would seem due to the smoothness that there has been activity there.<br />
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Now, since they did post the VIRTIS map on the 8th. It does show that the top of the "head" which is A site landing target is very cool, so is the area around the neck, as well as the bottom of the "body" as very cool. The large plains on the body which Bill and I had recently conducted comparisons is also the other cool location. <br />
http://celestialimaging.blogspot.com/2014/09/67pc-g-comparing-shadows-and-angles.html<br />
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These three locations seem to show the evidence of activity geologically. While these areas would be great landing sites terrain wise, they are areas of cold conditions. The only one of these where a landing was considered was "A", which may have lost out due to the revelation of the temperature. The landing sites seem to be in areas other then these active locations, which for a success of the mission, would make sense, though the question stands, will there be any data regarding the outgassing if you are not in an area not as active? Come November perhaps those sides of the body will be more active. But, as they are the hot areas, it would show that not only is it porous there, but either low or no volatiles. Which goes to show, IF there are volatiles at the dark regions, what do they composed of? We wont get this answer unless we are there to drill and find out.<br />
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Possible Landing Site "A" on the crown of the "head"<br />
http://celestialimaging.blogspot.com/2014/09/comet-67pc-g-has-ridge-gone-missing.html<br />
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<i><span style="color: red;">Update 2 - Sep 12</span></i> <br />
After further research, <br />
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The
line/discoloration is visible on the arrival images as showing during
the arrival webcast. To orientate you, he image compared to the above
images are upside down.The O cheerio stucture is now seen at the upper right of the image now.<br /> <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-4862104649927817792014-09-10T14:28:00.002-07:002014-09-10T14:28:16.754-07:00Cassini image composite of Saturn's North Pole<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9NRQ2pDmxiYwLTozpOAbX2rsPNec-B8CL5L4Ayd9XrCdax287wss2sxi1vxICq7qdEyPMUFissn0kxkt0jvSGwip2Lk3Mt50ThqzbtJ1kRrDUCBpz5P43AtUhtwjjx2H5oTxP45bVDo/s1600/Saturn+CB2+CB3+MT3+with+IRPO+Sep+9+2014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9NRQ2pDmxiYwLTozpOAbX2rsPNec-B8CL5L4Ayd9XrCdax287wss2sxi1vxICq7qdEyPMUFissn0kxkt0jvSGwip2Lk3Mt50ThqzbtJ1kRrDUCBpz5P43AtUhtwjjx2H5oTxP45bVDo/s1600/Saturn+CB2+CB3+MT3+with+IRPO+Sep+9+2014.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: VERDANA,HELVETICA,ARIAL; font-size: x-small;">Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute/Errol Coder
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Traveling at a distance of<span style="font-family: VERDANA,HELVETICA,ARIAL; font-size: x-small;"> approximately </span><span style="font-family: VERDANA,HELVETICA,ARIAL; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: VERDANA,HELVETICA,ARIAL; font-size: x-small;">1,699,200 miles (2,734,597 kilometers)</span> away from Saturn, the Cassini orbiter captured a sequence of images focused at an angle above Saturn down towards it northern pole. Using its CB2/IRPO, CB3/IRPO, and MT3(Methane)/IRPO filters, I combined the three images into a false color image. The false color, while not true colors, allows the viewer to see the different divisions, features, and differences between the different characteristics of Saturn.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-59209872972311240192014-09-09T16:45:00.001-07:002014-09-09T16:49:05.275-07:0067P/C-G Comparing Shadows and Angles from Aug 15 and Sep 7The time of day and angle of an image in photography can play a tricky part in the process of imaging. It can also reveal important information about a subject. Capturing images at different times of day which results in different shadow angles, as well as capturing them at slightly different angles changes the image significantly. The same goes for the Rosetta orbiter as it captures its images of comet 67P/C-G.<br />
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On August 15, 2014 an image of the comet that appears to be the end of the section typically designated as the "body." The sun was at an angle nearly straight on causing short shadowing on the surface. Only in areas with high crater walls were the effects of the shadows drastically present. A part of the comet typically called the "head" of the comet is seen in the distance past the "body" section on the left side of the lower left of the image.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29Yu7AMQmR1IE_l8k0Orn8t8PZYDhMrlusy00XuFU9MmR5b9A-yb7FGrWVVs67yN33rNjpT0K-KPR__o42ybSCsazI7Mr5Lp7-AeQHOAR8xv9PKrLasMyIKuPcAmKX0o0n2l3YtWwt_w/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29Yu7AMQmR1IE_l8k0Orn8t8PZYDhMrlusy00XuFU9MmR5b9A-yb7FGrWVVs67yN33rNjpT0K-KPR__o42ybSCsazI7Mr5Lp7-AeQHOAR8xv9PKrLasMyIKuPcAmKX0o0n2l3YtWwt_w/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+jpg.jpg" height="640" width="544" /></a></div>
But, then today Rosetta again captured an image of the same area, but the sun itself was at a drastically different angle. This caused some interesting shadowing and made some areas that originally looked smoother, to appear rougher and more jagged. Additionally, due to the angle of illumination the "head" section that was visible on the August 15 image was now hidden.<br />
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Some interesting observations can be taken from these two slightly different images.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrT1cLGap2k8GXbURpcDPeTZPKBlsPGHL0T9FJWnnhwLRJKC88uwNBhC67gtNwoKj9JapLLTPFw1lD6jG46GOpSIskv91rwyhbYZPy7n9RZb7KVBbG7JCobMz9H3DccH826-gUIuTEaDk/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+Area+1+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrT1cLGap2k8GXbURpcDPeTZPKBlsPGHL0T9FJWnnhwLRJKC88uwNBhC67gtNwoKj9JapLLTPFw1lD6jG46GOpSIskv91rwyhbYZPy7n9RZb7KVBbG7JCobMz9H3DccH826-gUIuTEaDk/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+Area+1+jpg.jpg" height="152" width="320" /></a>#1. On the Aug 15 image, the 8 boulders that are present in the oblong crater appeared to be low to the surface with broader structures. But, in the Sep 7 image made them appear to be taller then expected. While the field of view (FOV) of the NAVCAM is slightly more over head, their shadows just light with the local peaks of the craters are quite long. Although, their shapes seem to indicate the rocks to be a bit less round at their tops. While the shadows do elongate the shape of the object, they do help aid in identifying their basic shape. In fact one, the lower left of the right three boulders appear to be more wedge shaped.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlQ20uwkyEPsaUp9TuPCU3wrLB_WCHeaO8vVbGjnnvPPgd2aCknM4w2fQADskgW7C_E5mRjVKak7JWhNKO2-NJo6DCnE__Hmttk4yPpRLZ57b-kU8X3D00eoNcLbQPJ2O8vZWDFYxpMc/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+Area+2+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlQ20uwkyEPsaUp9TuPCU3wrLB_WCHeaO8vVbGjnnvPPgd2aCknM4w2fQADskgW7C_E5mRjVKak7JWhNKO2-NJo6DCnE__Hmttk4yPpRLZ57b-kU8X3D00eoNcLbQPJ2O8vZWDFYxpMc/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+Area+2+jpg.jpg" height="172" width="320" /></a>#2. The crater on Aug 15 appears to have a shallower depression. While the crater wall on the left shows shadowing, the remaining area of the crater doesn't appear to be much lower. But, when you compare it to the Sep 7 image, a few things stick out. A few features on the lower section of the crater while appear smooth, indicate three raised ridges. Additionally, a single ridge on the upper left of the crater on Sep 7 shows a wall high enough to cut through the edge of the crater, and high enough to capture an illuminated slope on the sunward side cutting through shadowed crater floor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-gTaQDWDPqqSV-CiHGAeEAPyGqYSgU-zojDyPRyuVtqX_IdEAUkQUQJnjI49-f9_kvohStU91ATOCaU8aJsLIqcqIkb2ZGeBu5RUwOQDbW4obAX7PEnghI9BBWWdpUN4Ytyk1pym0pE/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+Area+3+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-gTaQDWDPqqSV-CiHGAeEAPyGqYSgU-zojDyPRyuVtqX_IdEAUkQUQJnjI49-f9_kvohStU91ATOCaU8aJsLIqcqIkb2ZGeBu5RUwOQDbW4obAX7PEnghI9BBWWdpUN4Ytyk1pym0pE/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+Area+3+jpg.jpg" height="125" width="320" /></a>#3.Yet again, areas that while are on the edge and would begin to wrap around the edge of the comet, seem to appear more level ground. But, due to the angle of the shadowing, crater edging seems to appear as the image wraps around the side.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X7W2JyH_iMfWryupc9yWch2km-RS0WVCY7wbOK_47JjKZX5anWEIVCD4VL2o2E__AghBKtWM0lknF2c19CujD_y7V2newfTAYT2nuNXbhnsCe2FpN83eRtMTLMheez1lGU7TLPg7kRo/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+Area+4+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X7W2JyH_iMfWryupc9yWch2km-RS0WVCY7wbOK_47JjKZX5anWEIVCD4VL2o2E__AghBKtWM0lknF2c19CujD_y7V2newfTAYT2nuNXbhnsCe2FpN83eRtMTLMheez1lGU7TLPg7kRo/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+Area+4+jpg.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a>#4. Using a bit of trigonometry by knowing the angle of the sun to the object, and knowing some bit of measurements such as the length of the shadow itself, you may be able to calculate the height of a peak from a crater. But, some of that information may not be available. If someone with a bit more trig experience wants to give it a go, I think it would be possible with a bit of digging for angle and distance numbers to find its height. What is interesting is the drastic change between the length of the Sep 7 peak (left) on the left and the peak shadow on the right as well as the second step the appears nearly halfway down the slope. Now, as the area of illumination on the side of the formation side seems to be relatively the same amount of area on both days, the height may be quite shorter, relatively then observed. But as we are looking nearly straight down it would be hard to really visualize the the height. But, as observed, the shadow on Sep 7 seems to give hint to the real topography of the area.<br />
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#5. Just like with #4, a lack of shadowing can be deceiving in regards to land structure. Apparently, the edge of this crater/field is higher then originally observed, as it casts a quite uneven edge shadow hinting at the structure of this edge. What is quite interesting is the deep in the middle showing two tall peaks that are completely invisible in the Aug 15 (left) image.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gBiUE9S-_9IbTOvkacUhb4ZEhR1KGfi7eK1z4JSsF6sIqTMuamzx5BHY48JS4b-lSebI2McFBaO4siCnt2jGXvbFdYI4w_WsnraL-ybeysL7w9aVmyuilAzNEXzJUzCVs6Zy9ru2lzo/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+Area+6+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gBiUE9S-_9IbTOvkacUhb4ZEhR1KGfi7eK1z4JSsF6sIqTMuamzx5BHY48JS4b-lSebI2McFBaO4siCnt2jGXvbFdYI4w_WsnraL-ybeysL7w9aVmyuilAzNEXzJUzCVs6Zy9ru2lzo/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+Area+6+jpg.jpg" /></a>#6. While it may simple be a visual illusion, there seems to be a boulder propped on the edge of the hill/crater edge. You can see it in the Aug 15 image both on the top of the wall, and rising higher then the top of the rim in the shadow. The shape and protrusion with a squarish top to it would seem to be an independent object from the shape of the rim edge itself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmaurgeJ9p1A2xux6bjN7lpxb63kYaLFn-2vV8tEOmqWh0aSnQi_apx4h6d_2pzfQunOq0lAQXe-49t96QnH6ujeIhmTQpxLYQmAtdR2cpChKlUATAyyP8_mHuIv7W1PqMOUZ2JNy2e4/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+Area+7+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmaurgeJ9p1A2xux6bjN7lpxb63kYaLFn-2vV8tEOmqWh0aSnQi_apx4h6d_2pzfQunOq0lAQXe-49t96QnH6ujeIhmTQpxLYQmAtdR2cpChKlUATAyyP8_mHuIv7W1PqMOUZ2JNy2e4/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+Area+7+jpg.jpg" /></a>#7. This section of the crater field may give indication to the comet activity. It doesn't seem to give the typical signs of showing a crater edge. Although, visually, the right side is the higher smooth ground, while the crater evenly dips down into the other smoother field. My question is, what would make for smooth surface? I would suspect it is similar to what occurs on the moon for the Mare. The Mare are flooded (by volcanic erupted basalt) impact craters. While
the interior of the Moon was still hot an molten, asteroid or comets hit
the moon and created impact craters. Lava from the Moon's interior then
welled up to flood these craters, making the Mare. But, would a comet once have an interior like this? If so, these comet mare would be much older then the surrounding overlaying caters. Instrument investigations indicate that there is very little near surface ice, so these Mare would not seem to be formed by ice. Is this a remnant of the comets ancient hotter period?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtw68Kr3tz9zNIFeo3TiDzCci_HtL1Jylyksnom_3Ckeu7BMUuA1PiGsNeM9LUlsl23k-mj9vNyYVmgz3145WQ9ua3cer22GnI_HL9UQvvVGC_ZZ2K2fFyAEeUQORur78hRZXeR17azXs/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+Area+8+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtw68Kr3tz9zNIFeo3TiDzCci_HtL1Jylyksnom_3Ckeu7BMUuA1PiGsNeM9LUlsl23k-mj9vNyYVmgz3145WQ9ua3cer22GnI_HL9UQvvVGC_ZZ2K2fFyAEeUQORur78hRZXeR17azXs/s1600/67PC-G+Aug+15+and+Sep+7+Comparison+Area+8+jpg.jpg" height="115" width="320" /></a><br />
#8. Even such a drastic angle of the sun, the "head" of the comet disappears. The only surface that remains is the "body" as its wrapping edge ends at the terminating shadow edge. You would not guess that with just a bit of change in the suns angle that a completely other piece of terrain exist nearby. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-33711770084221135182014-09-05T21:43:00.001-07:002014-09-05T22:19:52.663-07:0030 Days of comet 67P/C-G<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Launching in 2004, and traveling for the last 10 years of an estimated 12 year voyage, the Rosetta orbiter has conducted gravity assist after gravity assist flyby maneuvers with the Earth and Mars as it traveled around the sun during its long mission to eventually rendaveau with, orbit around, and land <span class="collapseTables"><b> "the Jupiter-family comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko with a combination of remote sensing and in situ measurements".</b></span> On August 6th, 2014 it finally arrived at the comet and immediately got to work. As it approached the comet on August 1, 2014 it began a sequence image capture that included <a href="http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/files/2014/08/NavCam_animation_6_August_node_full_image_2.gif" target="_blank">a composite animation of 101 of them, using its NAVCAMs (Navigation Cameras) as it continued to approach</a>. </div>
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On August 6th as it arrived in orbit about the come, it began its Global Mapping of the surface which continued through August and into September. The images, using OSIRIS aboard Rosetta were captured in full from as it slowly orbited closer and closer to the tumbling mass of cosmic collisions. It is observed of course that the comet itself was formed by the collision of two other objects, that connected and fused at the "neck" area of the comet itself which gives it its odd "duck bill look."</div>
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Unfortunately, as Rosetta has moved closer to the comet, 50km as of August 23, instead of being able to capture a full frame of the comet, it began capturing only 1/4 segments to still allow for mapping of the object. These new segments were released on September 1st, allowing the<a href="http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/2014/09/01/make-a-navcam-mosaic/" target="_blank"> image processing community the ability to create composites</a> of a few that had been captured on August 31st. The second of these four-part images were released on September 4th of a sequenced captured on the 2nd.</div>
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On the August 31st images, a plume of what appears to be dust or some sort of out-gassing is seen originating from the "neck" narrow section of the comet.</div>
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The following animation is a complete sequence of the released full frame images from August 6 to the 23rd, and the composite images I have been splicing together from September 1st through the 4th.</div>
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While these images are captured days apart, it is interesting to see how the comet itself continues to tumble about its wobbly rotation.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6uzJB0OS9xg4XUNHlV28Qhdijr_LhHZj3GgY-qDx-oDuo6ppr1Suw09ZubQTIDMsN34t2PYjyOmgwwnIPJqRK8ZVhepfz3PAtuxOdAP2wLYuWOcvO2vtR1EMprpbKLTuzG1ETwKcD50/s1600/comet-67PCG-animation-Sep-2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6uzJB0OS9xg4XUNHlV28Qhdijr_LhHZj3GgY-qDx-oDuo6ppr1Suw09ZubQTIDMsN34t2PYjyOmgwwnIPJqRK8ZVhepfz3PAtuxOdAP2wLYuWOcvO2vtR1EMprpbKLTuzG1ETwKcD50/s1600/comet-67PCG-animation-Sep-2.gif" height="400" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM/animation by Errol Coder</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-27771000403371767992014-09-04T20:54:00.000-07:002014-09-12T01:21:35.712-07:00Venting captured from comet 67P/C-G<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The European Space Agency operates the ROSETTA spacecraft that is currently enroute towards comet 67P/C-G. Due to is close proximity to the comet, the NavCam, which was capturing full frame images of the comet, it now can only capture a smaller field of view. As a result, ESA has put a task out to the imaging community to create composite images of the quarter sections of the comet they release each week.<br />
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Their first set of images were released September 4th of the images captured on the 2nd. At a distance of 56kms, four images were captured, approximately 20 minutes apart as the capture changes its angle. The comet is also rotating on its axis at this time. So not only are the images captured minutes apart, but the view of the surface features also change position.<br />
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It takes a bit of twisting and adjusting to stitch the four images together to create a cohesive composite of the combined images. But, when done correctly, you can reveal some great features on the surface, and also other interesting occurrences. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNzSgJ3r95ofbUXLYuzv5Q4mDpN2sD9Dgedn7xmZB3IfCA18pcvaN5kgoOQtJ3pOQ77LC-Yjv8vGmVCk1zhqMcEqd-27O5A6Y0a8WDdCCEDABPefC_NXDmzJ0Khb2EkrkUKMD6ZclrcU/s1600/ESA_ROSETTA__NAVCAM_20140902B_stitch+bright+for+jet+for+credit+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNzSgJ3r95ofbUXLYuzv5Q4mDpN2sD9Dgedn7xmZB3IfCA18pcvaN5kgoOQtJ3pOQ77LC-Yjv8vGmVCk1zhqMcEqd-27O5A6Y0a8WDdCCEDABPefC_NXDmzJ0Khb2EkrkUKMD6ZclrcU/s1600/ESA_ROSETTA__NAVCAM_20140902B_stitch+bright+for+jet+for+credit+jpg.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></div>
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This image was combined using the 4-images, stitched together and enhanced to help the features come out. While there are currently clearer composite images completed by other individuals, this image that I processed is targeted to help highlight the current out gassing of the comet itself. Out gassing occurs when parts of the comet, has contact with the direct sunlight, causing the surface to heat up and react with trapped gases beneath the surface in the rock and ice that compose the comet. In this image, it was processed to have +10 brightness and -12 contrast to reveal the out gassing jet that forms a plume in the "neck" of the dirty snowball. It seems to reach quite a distance, nearly the same distance as the comet is long.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LdEdgnaGpWRg7m1Cxrlm4w7rE3C18qxRiAd012IjI_VVvh5J9FP4zEyyk-CEuW0OSJTsmsMZO9iX8XFRnrGKAo1Tcv7_H1pXgCvdnV_wMydeWYG_noc4OBym-2-gXdCL5gu-9nEYpGI/s1600/67P-G+Nov+2+Imaging+release+-72+brightness+with+credit+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LdEdgnaGpWRg7m1Cxrlm4w7rE3C18qxRiAd012IjI_VVvh5J9FP4zEyyk-CEuW0OSJTsmsMZO9iX8XFRnrGKAo1Tcv7_H1pXgCvdnV_wMydeWYG_noc4OBym-2-gXdCL5gu-9nEYpGI/s1600/67P-G+Nov+2+Imaging+release+-72+brightness+with+credit+jpg.jpg" height="320" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
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To be able to see the more detail on the comet itself, the brightness was reduced -72 from the above settings. While the out-gasing plume is lost, the surface features popout and become more clear.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click image to enlarge</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-62447429998708279292014-08-24T23:28:00.003-07:002014-08-24T23:29:07.640-07:00Close Encounter with Saturn's Moon Titan<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmk5xbReKn8jOtony593yHN8VTmJBN3OQ9kXro8o2bWQQRgouO8TjEAphsuI3QXKWUltbFkaXzsa7kBwgqdQWq35o8XNEEHmvei3LQ24yUyeF_ft6LnFnPfZB_wX2IRoF8dh3C_GJoDk/s1600/Titan+RED+GRN1+BL+Aug+21+2014.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmk5xbReKn8jOtony593yHN8VTmJBN3OQ9kXro8o2bWQQRgouO8TjEAphsuI3QXKWUltbFkaXzsa7kBwgqdQWq35o8XNEEHmvei3LQ24yUyeF_ft6LnFnPfZB_wX2IRoF8dh3C_GJoDk/s1600/Titan+RED+GRN1+BL+Aug+21+2014.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: VERDANA,HELVETICA,ARIAL; font-size: x-small;"><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute/ composite by Errol Coder</span></span></td></tr>
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On August 21st, 2014, Cassini captured this image as it passed by <span style="font-family: VERDANA,HELVETICA,ARIAL; font-size: x-small;"> at approximately 132,693 miles (213,549 kilometers) away from Saturn's largest moon Titan, and the image was taken using it's blue, green, and red filter. The blue glow seen on the northern and southern poles of Titan are infact the visible aspects of its outer atmosphere. </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-31684123722267794872013-05-16T14:20:00.003-07:002013-05-16T14:21:31.368-07:00360 Panorama of Mt. Sharp by Curiosity<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl-raw-images/mosaic/6/0/N_L000_0169XEDR006CYLTS_0000_DRIVEM1-br3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl-raw-images/mosaic/6/0/N_L000_0169XEDR006CYLTS_0000_DRIVEM1-br3.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NASA/JPL-Caltech
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NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took 40 images in Gale Crater using its
mast-mounted Left Navigation Camera (Navcam) to create this mosaic. The
seam-corrected mosaic provides a 360-degree cylindrical projection
panorama of the Martian surface centered at 180 degrees azimuth
(measured clockwise from north). Curiosity took the images on January
26, 2013, Sols 168-169 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission at drive
0, site number 6. The local mean solar time for the image exposures was
from 3 PM to 4 PM. Each Navcam image has a 45 degree field of view. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-78326872749931550172013-05-16T13:46:00.003-07:002013-05-16T13:50:37.347-07:00Titan before FlybyOn May 14, 2013 Cassini captured a series of images of Titan at a distance as it prepares for its flyby on May 23, 2013. This is a False color composite using Cassini's CB3, MT3 (methane), and UV3 (ultra-violet) filters. You can clearly see the methane atmosphere, and the collection of the green hue at Titan's northern pole. Using the CB3 filter, it allows us a glimpse through Titan's thick atmosphere, and see aspects of the surface.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute/composite by Errol Coder <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-73028385593836286462013-03-04T14:44:00.002-08:002013-05-16T13:50:52.656-07:00Color Contrast of Saturn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoH_z5EUZwoeWiknRDBSvrSP87OoQWSwuHy3Xg9ryqOWASnCenk22otVNE4Z1GwpQWbXA3NLYQdZm91tEzrsS5uqJVxdjrrVeNbOMinlCwqmx4G0odOkRmq8aSCp3r6WUK6SJWeCY0MqA/s1600/Saturn+MT2+and+CB2+Feb+28+12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoH_z5EUZwoeWiknRDBSvrSP87OoQWSwuHy3Xg9ryqOWASnCenk22otVNE4Z1GwpQWbXA3NLYQdZm91tEzrsS5uqJVxdjrrVeNbOMinlCwqmx4G0odOkRmq8aSCp3r6WUK6SJWeCY0MqA/s200/Saturn+MT2+and+CB2+Feb+28+12.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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On February 28, 2013 on its way to a flyby of Saturn's moon Rhea, Cassini captured images of the face Saturn using its Continuum band 2 and Methane band 2 filters. This is a two image composite of those two shots. Using the methane filter you can see the detail in the swirling gas layers that you would often see at Jupiter. This is a false image of the atmosphere of Saturn to help show the distinctive differences in the coloration and to bring out the details in the methane gases. The planet is tilted so the top is at the top left.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue-CWWMO5xOSO6WlAM30uaBp3vk4p4U5RryhFKeTg96tHZFO4Ir4QEemHbqpy9-UQCkRoKJN5COQniqLcpEkYgus9WX_c9f9ng0iINPbMNo-b_G9FSkLI1XnfjqhqlDkFlad9vFkHvaA/s1600/Saturn+MT2+and+CB2+Feb+28+12+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue-CWWMO5xOSO6WlAM30uaBp3vk4p4U5RryhFKeTg96tHZFO4Ir4QEemHbqpy9-UQCkRoKJN5COQniqLcpEkYgus9WX_c9f9ng0iINPbMNo-b_G9FSkLI1XnfjqhqlDkFlad9vFkHvaA/s400/Saturn+MT2+and+CB2+Feb+28+12+2.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems/ composite by Errol Coder
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click image to enlarge</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-84491451043381127472013-02-18T10:42:00.000-08:002013-02-18T10:45:20.186-08:00Curiosity Rover: Beautiful Mars Panorama<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvOEnwXbd4fNJ4AuZw8gppnulkh6gbOEWze64kkVFPsvKzBzav-r-ohbusjdPbenr7ofJysSGa0YN-iitCWPklA1YMUu7XbQFt5JPwzBnTJFYMNAQppT0ePKAf2IArbYswQSPS1IYVgM/s1600/CurPan+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvOEnwXbd4fNJ4AuZw8gppnulkh6gbOEWze64kkVFPsvKzBzav-r-ohbusjdPbenr7ofJysSGa0YN-iitCWPklA1YMUu7XbQFt5JPwzBnTJFYMNAQppT0ePKAf2IArbYswQSPS1IYVgM/s640/CurPan+cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Image Credit:</b> NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems/ composite by Errol Coder
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click image to enlarge</td></tr>
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On February 15, the Curiosity Rover (MSL) captured this Panorama of its current investigation location. This imaged was spliced together using 18 panoramic images captured by the Left Mast Cam on board the Mars Science Laboratory. In this image the filters have already been applied and color corrected on board the rover itself before being transmitted back to Earth. This view stretches from the NE at the edge of Mount Sharp to the NW along the crater rim.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-78634056727578406962013-02-17T13:38:00.000-08:002013-02-17T13:38:12.819-08:00Titan Flyby: Eclipsed<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2YRxs09mM0LpUVOXpm2fBISajkdJiKN-r_0Krj-Kj5vOuWHJ9i__o-VjyEgMCmCl5TlQ7mokOe8eC3poVDU2FTD9X8R6nYoPGy2mU_0JINYdk7w2NxuC09O3yZyHoxB_47Gglx2wtW0/s1600/Titan+flyby.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2YRxs09mM0LpUVOXpm2fBISajkdJiKN-r_0Krj-Kj5vOuWHJ9i__o-VjyEgMCmCl5TlQ7mokOe8eC3poVDU2FTD9X8R6nYoPGy2mU_0JINYdk7w2NxuC09O3yZyHoxB_47Gglx2wtW0/s320/Titan+flyby.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: NASA / JPL / SSI / composite by Errol Coder<br />click image to enlarge</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /> </td></tr>
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The first images from Cassini are coming in from the flyby on February 16. These first images <span style="font-family: VERDANA,HELVETICA,ARIAL; font-size: x-small;">were taken approximately 173,902 miles (279,868 kilometers) away using the R<span style="font-size: x-small;">ED, GRN, BLU filters. <span style="font-size: x-small;">It is the Methane filters that typically bring out the detail in<span style="font-size: x-small;"> atmosphere and s<span style="font-size: x-small;">urface. As Cassini flies by hopefully we will see th<span style="font-size: x-small;">ose filters used to help bring out the detail. But,we can see right now is the Methane atm<span style="font-size: x-small;">osphere coming in as blue along the ed<span style="font-size: x-small;">ge of Saturn's larges moon. Once the new images are received<span style="font-size: x-small;">, I will be processing them and posting. Look forward to some <span style="font-size: x-small;">gorgeous</span> images!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-55987284526706187542013-02-17T01:02:00.002-08:002013-02-17T01:05:07.965-08:00Saturn's Rings in all its Detail<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLyo_GNLlYwSMkIaITpxaLRTrueWgclIKiLXMjbVr-dur32Y87h4FPbc9Hz8zt_NmNbkpHRfWbIiHWTc1OwKrUj17qft839OyQBgxKuBT41UAeEG0X_73sE_SmefaSKLreIenQkmNCRU/s1600/Saturn+Rings+2+CL1+and+CL2+filters+Feb+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLyo_GNLlYwSMkIaITpxaLRTrueWgclIKiLXMjbVr-dur32Y87h4FPbc9Hz8zt_NmNbkpHRfWbIiHWTc1OwKrUj17qft839OyQBgxKuBT41UAeEG0X_73sE_SmefaSKLreIenQkmNCRU/s200/Saturn+Rings+2+CL1+and+CL2+filters+Feb+15.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: NASA / JPL / SSI </td></tr>
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Many of the images I process are captured using many of the filters that the Cassini has aboard. These images can be layered for the particular connected RGB colors, to bring forth some brilliant shots. This image is different. This is the original high res image captured on February 15th. This set of images were taken with the clear filters. Simply put, it is beautiful in itself. you can see great detail the separations in the rings.<br />
<br />
The A-Ring is to the right of the Cassini Division, which is the separation you see to the ride side of the image with the B-Ring to the left of it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-43138082850888518122013-02-15T21:10:00.002-08:002013-02-15T21:10:57.819-08:00Color Composite of Saturn's outer rings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cvk5YUUfD18AJ2r-KtwITMBvGJHjx8gT89XePYkfZejwEcikHJJshitZoGqdDGsPPz480f20Ar_4oepRHnvkdBnyjs5ji9AHd1Z34CE35vICBmPYztYTUM5Uf86TV2OB2vDROtFP1jI/s1600/Saturn+Rings+RED+GRN+BLU+Feb+13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cvk5YUUfD18AJ2r-KtwITMBvGJHjx8gT89XePYkfZejwEcikHJJshitZoGqdDGsPPz480f20Ar_4oepRHnvkdBnyjs5ji9AHd1Z34CE35vICBmPYztYTUM5Uf86TV2OB2vDROtFP1jI/s320/Saturn+Rings+RED+GRN+BLU+Feb+13.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: NASA / JPL / SSI / composite by Errol Coder</td></tr>
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On February 13, 2013 the Cassini spacecraft completed a flyby of Saturn's rings capturing a long series of images as it passed above it. In this image, using the RED, BLU, and GRN color filters a false color of the image was formed to show the detail int he different rings. The outer F-Ring (white) can be clearly seen with the large divide between it and the A-Ring.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-39739961525907121112012-08-24T10:27:00.002-07:002012-08-24T10:29:23.740-07:00Curiosity's first drive on Mars<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JAl298-OFakXe_YBHdPc1g-l1JNd_K_8svqWqYA3L9GRLeVThSxKkU5Lhn3a0EyAy3lkDSFFJxmT81yZqmSoGrsuP6s6qT5rBSD50O7ECA_QT7CxgSJvK5UCJSlQPCF5uiInMLOQkIA/s1600/RLA_398917361EDR_F0030060RHAZ00130M_.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JAl298-OFakXe_YBHdPc1g-l1JNd_K_8svqWqYA3L9GRLeVThSxKkU5Lhn3a0EyAy3lkDSFFJxmT81yZqmSoGrsuP6s6qT5rBSD50O7ECA_QT7CxgSJvK5UCJSlQPCF5uiInMLOQkIA/s320/RLA_398917361EDR_F0030060RHAZ00130M_.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image was taken by Rear Hazcam: Left A (RHAZ_LEFT_A) onboard <br />
NASA's
Mars rover Curiosity on Sol 16 (2012-08-22 14:25:05 UTC)<br />
<b>Image Credit:</b> NASA/JPL-Caltech
<br />click image to enlarge</td></tr>
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On Sol 16, August 22, 2012 the Curiosity rover took its first short drive and made its first tracks on Mars in Gale Crater. This activity was to check out the roving functionality of the wheels prior to its long drive to Glenelg. It would appear that Curiosity has started to accumulate dust on its Left Rear Hazcam.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-73498782058846459412012-08-20T15:03:00.001-07:002012-08-20T15:03:51.270-07:00MER Opportunity Rover on the edge of EndeavourAfter Opportunity's stay on Greeley Haven it had recently taken a short drive around the northern edge of Cape York and traversed across "Whim Creek" on Sol 3010. After reaching the northern tip of Cape York she continued around to its present position on August 20 "Sol 3048", just past the creek.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AWEoD2EDxBmNCnifaUm1PGgGSm5ac2M17YdUX39wrbZ5PuwdMYeTc4Gh6pE3-xooRL6rx0YpZhmwa206IXrdEpOBr7P-qw2fX4QtQ1amhSysq176soZlcKeYiQ3X-wcqjIIUJg3fDSU/s1600/Panorama+Sol+3044+Aug+20+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AWEoD2EDxBmNCnifaUm1PGgGSm5ac2M17YdUX39wrbZ5PuwdMYeTc4Gh6pE3-xooRL6rx0YpZhmwa206IXrdEpOBr7P-qw2fX4QtQ1amhSysq176soZlcKeYiQ3X-wcqjIIUJg3fDSU/s400/Panorama+Sol+3044+Aug+20+2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell/Arizona State U/composite by Errol Coder
<br />click image to enlarge</td></tr>
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These most recent images captured by the Pancam on Sol 3044 is a 6 image composite that points into Endeavour Crater showing the rim in the distance.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fnvZbdxQg-sb7EVMlrRMfg738GS7Y-xT8Aof8kWPAPNvxw-ihEChCkiJ9QAx5UeC5xmMaYDjMJooVIat3-Ok0Shkmi6UJouuKAQC9KawEUY0UvR4TaDh8_o_hZKyOoL6oqYxKaM6sEM/s1600/Pancam+Panorama+Sol+3044+Aug+20+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fnvZbdxQg-sb7EVMlrRMfg738GS7Y-xT8Aof8kWPAPNvxw-ihEChCkiJ9QAx5UeC5xmMaYDjMJooVIat3-Ok0Shkmi6UJouuKAQC9KawEUY0UvR4TaDh8_o_hZKyOoL6oqYxKaM6sEM/s400/Pancam+Panorama+Sol+3044+Aug+20+2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell/Arizona State U<br />click image to enlarge</td></tr>
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This 2 image composite also using the Pancam shows a dimple and stone outcropping next to the Opportunity rover.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpioY0SocxXmkDz0kOYQrLIHKuVCfoTrf4N9dpjRihJfs-QtDAyq9PYpCw_HH9pmU-f-YkBOYo2U3W-jJPecXZncSBbuP6r3sSaB6Lgsc5IMyswAxcvsmQ6SsDz8AFTbnWQnkWTsiKAE/s1600/MERB_Sol3024_1_br2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpioY0SocxXmkDz0kOYQrLIHKuVCfoTrf4N9dpjRihJfs-QtDAyq9PYpCw_HH9pmU-f-YkBOYo2U3W-jJPecXZncSBbuP6r3sSaB6Lgsc5IMyswAxcvsmQ6SsDz8AFTbnWQnkWTsiKAE/s400/MERB_Sol3024_1_br2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell/Arizona State U<br />Traverse Map as of Sol 3044<br />click image to enlarge</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-77430810077714047302012-08-19T09:30:00.002-07:002012-08-19T23:03:29.879-07:00First Drive and ChemCam lasering of the Curiosity Mars Rover<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkqSjXTz1t1-2QHSIluoNnwiO7_4K72ZY24enhLGuL8Rs8vJbqeQevmaqCL3yeKT-tubogGiODtG3ssyvmo_-O0Dj5wq4ptQBvyvB7gfSw57SGByDxPHTb1LDHfEdcSClhtQISY25huQ/s1600/ChemCam+shot+comparison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkqSjXTz1t1-2QHSIluoNnwiO7_4K72ZY24enhLGuL8Rs8vJbqeQevmaqCL3yeKT-tubogGiODtG3ssyvmo_-O0Dj5wq4ptQBvyvB7gfSw57SGByDxPHTb1LDHfEdcSClhtQISY25huQ/s400/ChemCam+shot+comparison.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image was taken by ChemCam: Remote Micro-Imager (CHEMCAM_RMI)
<br />
onboard NASA's Mars rover Curiosity on Sol 13 (2012-08-19 11:14:22 UTC) .
<b><br />Image Credit:</b> NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL/composite by Errol Coder
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Looks like we have our first use of the ChemCam. Today, August 19, Sol 13, Curiosity did a short drive to the rock "N165" recently named Coronation. The three images show over the period of firing at a location measuring 6mm. The ChemCam fires at the rock 30 times over 20 seconds. Right now we don't have any data regard the rocks composition.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvWwp_iLmCsoVaWPzsweZB5rcP454mtlsvaEIp_nvfNffaSYTpDYHlNBOnj0MF8Agz2fx4pQxajahPKSX6twQtbQKBLIATgBDoptCn3KU0SvwatL2U_lO4e3kdDrwX0223pQepN0JlG4/s1600/pia16075_FirstZappedRock-br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvWwp_iLmCsoVaWPzsweZB5rcP454mtlsvaEIp_nvfNffaSYTpDYHlNBOnj0MF8Agz2fx4pQxajahPKSX6twQtbQKBLIATgBDoptCn3KU0SvwatL2U_lO4e3kdDrwX0223pQepN0JlG4/s400/pia16075_FirstZappedRock-br.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Image Credit:</b> NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL/CNES/IRA</td></tr>
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If you want details on the drive and the rock Coronation, check out my recent episode on PlanetaryTV.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-65754376807591445262012-08-18T08:21:00.003-07:002012-08-18T08:28:38.248-07:00Full Panorama of Mt. Sharp!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9q5vfSxr-le5yAPZkkivdYoD8LXqwbq6YVjFfYC6VO6pzvQTnmFvmCaWIERQNrfXS2yOmaJFyqrgzHXI6mnOlecgfxVX7yFd_Iw4mb2tYocL2xYADhccDQZv64pz7ZgPHvc8oIb06mg/s1600/Sol+12+Hazcam+Aug+18+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9q5vfSxr-le5yAPZkkivdYoD8LXqwbq6YVjFfYC6VO6pzvQTnmFvmCaWIERQNrfXS2yOmaJFyqrgzHXI6mnOlecgfxVX7yFd_Iw4mb2tYocL2xYADhccDQZv64pz7ZgPHvc8oIb06mg/s400/Sol+12+Hazcam+Aug+18+2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Image Credit:</b> NASA/JPL-Caltech/composite by Errol Coder<br />
This image was taken by Navcam: Left A (NAV_LEFT_A) onboard NASA's Mars rover Curiosity <br />
on Sol 12 (2012-08-18 11:38:55 UTC) .
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click image to enlarge </td></tr>
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What a magnificent view! Curiosity took this shot today of Mt. Sharp. This is the first full view shot of the peak and the "slope" on either side that we have received. I am waiting for the stunning capture of the same view with Curiosity's 100mm Mastcam. The colors will be brilliant.<br />
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The images are having a fuss with Photoshop, so at this time a full blended composite wasn't possible. It was brightened, and contrast adjusted to bring out the features. I hope to get the blending figured out soon. But until then, at least we have a a nice shot of what Curiosity will be exploring for years to come.<br />
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Glenelg, her first roving location can be seen in the middle and to the right before the dark dune field.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-61116950163142905682012-08-14T11:02:00.003-07:002012-08-14T11:02:30.199-07:00See Curiosity from HiRISE<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBK-xGyxVHs64viRC-4yiwRrNfOCIOMFYjFcZb2WIChixqzFmyu8YlVm0w0kL-gBkkbed4N-9Fdz0MYaJagWDCQm4AtewMnaPR1H-a-31Mj1HxSfpcND04ESGZzkTedNOB_BIwDrxPfQQ/s1600/676475main_pia16057-43_946-710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBK-xGyxVHs64viRC-4yiwRrNfOCIOMFYjFcZb2WIChixqzFmyu8YlVm0w0kL-gBkkbed4N-9Fdz0MYaJagWDCQm4AtewMnaPR1H-a-31Mj1HxSfpcND04ESGZzkTedNOB_BIwDrxPfQQ/s320/676475main_pia16057-43_946-710.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image credit: NASNASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona<br />click image to enlarge</td></tr>
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It looks like we have a new great view of the MSL Curiosity rover from our Eye in the Sky. The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured this image. HiRISE was at a 30-degreen angle from looking straight down. A straight over the head shot will be captured in about 5 days from now.<br />
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Curiosity is in the middle of the dark patch on the lower left of the image. It is the silver object in the middle. The darkened area is the blast area from the Sky Crane decent engines blackening the surrounding landscape. She faces SE, down and to the right towards Mt. Sharp.<br />
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The majority of the driving paths and science will occur to the right of this image past the present landscape as they work their way to the base of Mt. Sharp, past the dune fields.<br />
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On Sol 13 JPL scientists will be testing the steering actuators in preparation for its first drive on Sol 15 for a short drive in an area visible by the Hazcams. Taking a route SW from the current landing sight, they will traverse the dune fields, then heading straight towards Mt. Sharp climbing a few meters of elevation onto its slope. Curiosity can drive on a terrain approx. 20% of slope a long a path they are selecting right now.<br />
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All the current images were programed prior to landing, as they did not know exactly where Curiosity would be landing. This is why we have not seen the top of Mt. Sharp. JPL has mentioned that with in a few Sols they have programed a image sequence to capture the top of the mountain. Look forward to seeing a complete color mosaic of our view of Gale Craters central mountain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5hB_g7Dp_nqGJGpx2eGSifzy0adGeGJJ-Tsi1eBdQ6xFserLaJWflSt6AXw0RA6f_2pAMBu66Y3pGtnaLAc9NsbUYVGJVSrmeV03du3WXfX1qlU8pmwk7HvmA2Xk2fTHfQa8LRH1lEw/s1600/676520main_pia16026-516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5hB_g7Dp_nqGJGpx2eGSifzy0adGeGJJ-Tsi1eBdQ6xFserLaJWflSt6AXw0RA6f_2pAMBu66Y3pGtnaLAc9NsbUYVGJVSrmeV03du3WXfX1qlU8pmwk7HvmA2Xk2fTHfQa8LRH1lEw/s320/676520main_pia16026-516.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">This view from Curiosity's Navigation camera shows the hilly wall of Gale Crater.
A full-resolution, 360-degree panorama from the Navigation camera is at <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/pia16026.html">PIA16026</a> . <br />Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech</td><td class="tr-caption"><br /> </td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-58981748615448803022012-08-13T10:45:00.005-07:002012-08-13T12:53:24.938-07:00See Mars in High Resolution!What a beautiful sight! Check out Mars in all its splendor. Using Curiosity's High Res Mastcam we get to see the landscape around her in spectacular color. These images were taken by Curiosity on Sol 3 on Friday August 8. The first images we got were low res thumbnails due to the bandwidth needed for the high res images to be received. So the new images received at a later date, puts together a beautiful high res mosaic of the area around our rover.<br />
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We are looking SE towards the base of Gale Crater's Mt. Sharp. The dark band you see at the "foothills" have an unknown composition, and will be a target for Curiosity once she begins her drives. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/pia16051_figure_1_raw_smaller-br2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="56" src="http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/pia16051_figure_1_raw_smaller-br2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Image Credit:</b> NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS<br />
click image to see full High Res image </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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This is the text from NASA/JPL regarding the mosaic.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>This image is the first high-resolution color mosaic from NASA's
Curiosity rover, showing the geological environment around the rover's
landing site in Gale Crater on Mars. The images show a landscape that
closely resembles portions of the southwestern United States in its
morphology, adding to the impression gained from the lower-resolution
thumbnail mosaic released early in the week.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The colors in the main image are unmodified from those returned by the
camera. While it is difficult to say whether this is what a human eye
would see, it is what a cell phone or camcorder would record since the
Mastcam takes color pictures in the exact same manner that consumer
cameras acquire color images. The colors in a second version linked to
the main image have been modified as if the scene were transported to
Earth and illuminated by terrestrial sunlight. This processing, called
"white balancing," is useful for scientists to be able to recognize and
distinguish rocks by color in more familiar lighting.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The parts of this mosaic that are most interesting to geologists include
a section on the crater wall north of the landing site where a network
of valleys believed to have formed by water erosion enters Gale Crater
from the outside. They are also studying a section that looks south of
the landing site that provides an overview of the eventual geological
targets Curiosity will explore, including the rock-strewn, gravelly
surface nearby, the dark dune field and the layered buttes and mesas of
the sedimentary rock of Mount Sharp.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Geologists are also taking a close look at an area excavated by the
blast of the Mars Science Laboratory's descent stage rockets. With the
loose debris blasted away by the rockets, details of the underlying
materials are clearly seen. Of particular note is a well-defined,
topmost layer that contains fragments of rock embedded in a matix of
finer material.
</i></blockquote>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575110750699322431.post-28495297348617709942012-08-09T14:16:00.000-07:002012-08-09T14:16:59.268-07:00NavCam captures Curiosity's surroundingsAfter the deployment of the MastCam on Sol 2, August 8th, 2012 Earth time, JPL scientists swept across the horizon in front of Curiosity using the Navigation Cameras "NavCam" capturing the landscape to the north. In addition, they did a survey of the rover engineering deck.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2a0zmJZXKVxn9kshNK9BkAqNUqt-g47KtKmn9KAogmtz_Ovw7czixNMhbAUKlVhKSS1iZFexVEU547VQK0HaBgWUgQZQfGF1A6r5f4umI1uQnH-HoA3rL6qm8eDfHz4focLslQcQWY8/s1600/mars_MSL_sol2_Navcam_360_prelim_Polar_UMSF840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2a0zmJZXKVxn9kshNK9BkAqNUqt-g47KtKmn9KAogmtz_Ovw7czixNMhbAUKlVhKSS1iZFexVEU547VQK0HaBgWUgQZQfGF1A6r5f4umI1uQnH-HoA3rL6qm8eDfHz4focLslQcQWY8/s400/mars_MSL_sol2_Navcam_360_prelim_Polar_UMSF840.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>NASA / JPL / James Sorenson</i></td></tr>
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This is 20 image mosaic taken on the 1st day after Curiosity landed. You can see that she is in flat plain surrounded by mountains and the Gale Crater rim. North is down, West is left, East is Right, and South is up. The dark soil seen in the "North" is the same dark band of soil seen on the 1st images received after the rover landed and the "HazCams" deployed. To the left "East" you can see the "foothills" leading up to Mt. Sharp. The mountain line in the West and South is the Gale crater rim. You might also notice the debris of gravel found on the engineering deck of Curiosity, which collected on it from the thrusters that blew them into the air. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7g36fsA3AZpRXlLe_4mR4_8NtYjddB8dBkKkxO8kEloCx506IuzNehkNmH9LfIo_6hUM_0Wb7TrlO9PIRCbulSMOs0hltalb2yV60-pL56WTnPHH6J4Y5k8ydhHRzC9lC_KQIsTYBa04/s1600/Curiosity+NCam+Sol+2+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7g36fsA3AZpRXlLe_4mR4_8NtYjddB8dBkKkxO8kEloCx506IuzNehkNmH9LfIo_6hUM_0Wb7TrlO9PIRCbulSMOs0hltalb2yV60-pL56WTnPHH6J4Y5k8ydhHRzC9lC_KQIsTYBa04/s400/Curiosity+NCam+Sol+2+gif.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Image Credit:</b> NASA/JPL-Caltech/composite by Errol Coder<br />
click image to enlarge </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
This first composite is created from using two high-res images taken by the left Left-A NavCam. It faces the north away from Curiosity. You can see a line of mountains in the distance with some very distinct features. This area appears to be relatively flat, with larger pebbles littering the ground. The equipment on the lower left of the image is the top of the stowed Tool Arm which will be used on a future Sol.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0