First Full Resolution Images From Curiosity (Beautiful!)

[morningfog]

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/gallery-indexEvents.html

[morningfog]

1. “The topography of the rim is very mountainous due to erosion”

“The topography of the rim is very mountainous due to erosion” NASA explains. “The ground seen in the middle shows low-relief scarps and plains. The foreground shows two distinct zones of excavation likely carved out by blasts from the rover’s descent stage thrusters.”

That excavation has also been checked out in close-up, again using the Navcams, and leaving what’s believed to be bedrock outcrop in view. It’s also evidence of the shallow soil depth, though the surface could well be more like a pavement on top of the underlying bedrock, with multiple smaller stones being compacted together into a top layer.

As for Curiosity’s testing, the high-gain antenna has successfully been directed toward Earth, and a remote sensing mast has been full erected. Radiation sensors have begun collecting data – though have not yet beamed it back.

http://www.slashgear.com/curiosity-beams-back-postcards-of-new-martian-crater-home-09242385/

[rgbecker]

18. It's amazing: Why is it that the aliens always land in the desert? n/t

[tridim]

2. Wow, I bet that terrain is going to be jam-packed with organic material.

[snooper2]

3. The coolest remote controlled vehicle to drive ever

[tinymontgomery]

6. I hope they don't let Howard Wolowitz

near the controls with the girls he's trying to date.

[queenjane]

7. That was MY first thought! :0 n/t

[Ichingcarpenter]

4. Looks like a weather ballon crashed

on William Brazel's Ranch better call the Roswell Army Air Field and report it.

[Solly Mack]

5. K&R

[Grave Grumbler]

8. A great use of tax dollars.

Unlike much of Federal budget. The cuts to NASA's planetary exploration programs make me want to weep (virtually all major future programs have been cancelled recently).

[GardeningGal]

10. If we stopped pouring money down the drain on useless wars maybe we could fund NASA.

Or make the wealthy pay their fair share. Either works for me.

[Grave Grumbler]

11. When polled, most Americans think NASA consumes 20% of the Federal budget.

In actuality, it's less than 0.5%.

[hunter]

9. Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids...

...in fact it's cold as hell.

Nevertheless, that's a beautiful picture.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. This ran seven bucks

Per American...worthy of three cups of coffee.

[Missycim]

19. It stinks

that a cup of coffee is over 2 dollars now

[woo me with science]

13. Fucking amazing.

Mars, like we are standing there.






This just makes me tear up. It is so absolutely refreshing to have something inspiring for a change.

[morningfog]

14. Indeed! Here'e the color panorama.

[woo me with science]

16. Stunning.

Thank you.

[Liberal_in_LA]

15. almost like the mojave desert.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

17. Fascinating. Thanks for posting. (n/t)