Sols 1818-1819: Brushfest
15 September 2017We are planning only 2 sols today because there will be a soliday on Sunday to get us back in sync with "Mars time" in Gale Crater. The focus of science planning this morning was on observations of the current workspace, including an experiment to acquire APXS and MAHLI data on a bedrock… Read More
Five Names Approved for Titan: Salusa, Niushe, Harmonthep, Corrin, and Ochumare
15 September 2017The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved five names on Titan: Salusa Labyrinthus, Niushe Labyrinthus, Harmonthep Labyrinthus, Corrin Labyrinthus, and Ochumare Regio. For more information, see the map of Titan in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.
Bittersweet Departure of Cassini Tomorrow
14 September 2017USGS Scientist Emeritus Randy Kirk reminisces about the Cassini spacecraft’s journey and discusses the end of the twenty-year mission in a KNAU interview. Artist Rendition of Cassini diving between Saturn and its innermost ring as part of the Grand Finale. Image Credit: NASABy Janet… Read More
NASA’s Verdict: Say Your Goodbyes to Cassini
11 September 2017On September 15, 2017, the Cassini spacecraft will be put to death. Scientists preplanned the spacecraft to crash into Saturn and Cassini will disintegrate in a burst of searing flame. Sadly, this will end its phenomenal journey of the exploration of the Saturn system. The demise of Cassini… Read More
The Science of Dunes: Where to Get Involved!
8 September 2017During this past May, many of the world’s leading dune authorities met in St. George, Utah to attend the Fifth International Planetary Dunes Workshop. If you weren’t there--then you missed out on some fun. Scientists and students meet at this biannual workshop to engage in… Read More
Thirteen Craters Approved for Ceres
28 August 2017The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for thirteen craters on Ceres: Jumis, Sedana, Peko, Halki, Telepinu, Kaneki, Kokopelli, Emesh, Xevioso, Nunghui, Thrud, Jacheongbi, and Ratumaibulu. For more information, see the map of Ceres in the Gazetteer of Planetary… Read More
The Autobiography of Oppenheimer Crater
25 August 2017Oppenheimer crater, at 35.2°S, 166.3°W on the far side of the Moon, shows features such as cracks and low, dark-haloed volcanoes that suggest it must have lived an interesting young life to a ripe-old crater age. During its youth, I imagine it would rumble, swell, crack, hiss, blow smoke,… Read More
Two Names Approved for Titan: Giedi Planitia and Tsiipiya Terra
24 August 2017The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for two features on Titan: Giedi Planitia and Tsiipiya Terra. For more information, see the map of Titan in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.
Sol 1795: Skirting around Vera Rubin Ridge
23 August 2017Curiosity is now tantalizingly close to climbing up Vera Rubin Ridge. For the past several weeks we have been skirting around the ridge, documenting sedimentary structures and bedrock composition along the way as we work toward our intended ascent route. Today’s plan provided… Read More
Name Approved for Crater on Venus
23 August 2017The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Annabelle for a crater on Venus. For more information, see Venus map V-41, in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.
