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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Mars Science Laboratory Instruments: MARDI
Next up in my series of posts about the instruments on MSL is the Mars Descent Imager (MARDI).
Changes in Titan's southern lakes
Today's science press release out of the Division of Planetary Sciences meeting concerns changes in lakes near Titan's south pole observed during Cassini's mission. In brief, repeat Cassini RADAR observations of the same spots during different Titan flybys turned up places where there appeared to be dark lakes in earlier images and dry lakes in later images.
Massive MESSENGER Mercury Mosaic
Massive MESSENGER Mercury Mosaic
Another possible piece of evidence for a Rhea ring
Another possible piece of evidence for a Rhea ring
2008 TC3: One year later (a 365 Days of Astronomy podcast)
2008 TC3: One year later (a 365 Days of Astronomy podcast)
It would appear that Opportunity has stumbled upon another meteorite
I wonder if this came from the same original body as Block Island, or if Meridiani is the kind of slowly deflating landscape that accumulates meteorites at its surface, like the ANSMET meteorite hunting spots in Antarctica?
MESSENGER gets two planets for the price of one
Here's a pretty shot of Mercury taken by MESSENGER on approach...but wait, what's that tiny little speck in the lower left corner of the photo?
What's up in the solar system in October 2009
What's up in the solar system in October 2009
Another lunar lander photographed: Surveyor 1!
Another lunar lander photographed: Surveyor 1!
Mars Exploration Rovers Update: Embedded Spirit Waits Exit Approval, Opportunity Celebrates New Mars Year with New Record
From notable achievements and new discoveries to trials and tribulations and harbingers of hope, the Mars Exploration Rovers seemed to experience the gamut on the Red Planet this September, their 69th month on an expedition that originally set out back in 2004 for a three-month tour.
Mars Science Laboratory Instruments: MAHLI
Last time, I talked about the MastCam color cameras on MSL, so it only makes sense to continue with one of the other cameras: The Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI).
MESSENGER went into safe mode before closest approach
MESSENGER went into safe mode before closest approach
Third Time's No Charm: MESSENGER's Third Gravity Assist Successful, But "Safe Mode" Interrupts Science
Third Time's No Charm: MESSENGER's Third Gravity Assist Successful, But "Safe Mode" Interrupts Science
MESSENGER's latest Mercury image
MESSENGER's latest Mercury image
MESSENGER just passed closest approach!
MESSENGER just passed closest approach!
A little drama during the MESSENGER Mercury flyby
A little drama during the MESSENGER Mercury flyby
Opportunity on the move
Opportunity rover is driving, driving, driving. It departed the meteorite named Block Island on sol 2,004 and has routinely clocked 70 meters per driving day (with drives every other day).
Fifty-five hours from Mercury
Fifty-five hours from Mercury
Planetary Radio Q and A: Who sees better, Hubble or ground-based scopes with adaptive optics?
Planetary Radio Q and A: Who sees better, Hubble or ground-based scopes with adaptive optics?
Carnival of Space #122
Carnival of Space #122