#explore mars

[tilbageidanmark]

A hole drilled on Mars by Curiosity Rover, one of 36 holes drilled.

[ecoharbor]

📍Algarve, Portugal 🇵🇹

[londonknightbooks]

When humankind have all but destroyed Earth, can Mars be our new home? bit.ly/44Pk50L

[pangeen]

“ The Solar System “ // astro.lust 

Music: Interworld - Metamorphosis

[nasa]

do you have a favourite planet etc?

[theofficialastronomy101]

A unique view of Mars and its scarred surface!

[blueiscoool]

New NASA images reveal giant hole in Curiosity rover's wheel after 12 years of 'abuse' on Mars

Images captured by Curiosity's onboard cameras show several large tears in the tire of one of the rover's wheels. However, the damage does not appear to be slowing the roaming robot down.

Curiosity first touched down on Mars on Aug. 5, 2012 and was initially only expected to last for two years. But the hardy rover has defied expectations and has lasted 4,323 Martian days, or Sols, on the Red Planet, traveling more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) around the Gale Crater, where it originally landed.

However, new photos taken by Curiosity's Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) and released by NASA on Sept. 24 reveal that the rover's epic journey has taken a toll on the robot's middle right wheel. The images show several large tears in the wheel's heavily scratched tire, including one particularly large hole that reveals the wheel’s inner mechanisms. It is currently unclear when these holes first emerged or if any of the rover's other wheels have suffered similar damage.

The damage may look bad but Curiosity "is still holding up well despite taking some of the worst abuse from Mars," mission operations engineer Ashley Stroupe wrote in the statement.

By Harry Baker.

[wonders-of-the-cosmos]

Mariner program

The Mariner program was conducted by the American space agency NASA to explore other planets. Between 1962 and late 1973, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) designed and built 10 robotic interplanetary probes named Mariner to explore the inner Solar System - visiting the planets Venus, Mars and Mercury for the first time, and returning to Venus and Mars for additional close observations.

The program included a number of interplanetary firsts, including the first planetary flyby, the planetary orbiter, and the first gravity assist maneuver. Of the 10 vehicles in the Mariner series, seven were successful, forming the starting point for many subsequent NASA/JPL space probe programs. 

The name of the Mariner program was decided in "May 1960-at the suggestion of Edgar M. Cortright" to have the "planetary mission probes ... patterned after nautical terms, to convey 'the impression of travel to great distances and remote lands.'" That "decision was the basis for naming Mariner, Ranger, Surveyor, and Viking probes."

Each spacecraft was to carry solar panels that would be pointed toward the Sun and a dish antenna that would be pointed at Earth. Each would also carry a host of scientific instruments. Some of the instruments, such as cameras, would need to be pointed at the target body it was studying. Other instruments were non-directional and studied phenomena such as magnetic fields and charged particles. JPL engineers proposed to make the Mariners "three-axis-stabilized," meaning that unlike other space probes they would not spin.

Mariner 1 and Mariner 2

Mariner 1 and Mariner 2 were two deep-space probes making up NASA's Mariner-R project. The primary goal of the project was to develop and launch two spacecraft sequentially to the near vicinity of Venus, receive communications from the spacecraft and to perform radiometric temperature measurements of the planet. A secondary objective was to make interplanetary magnetic field and/or particle measurements on the way to, and in the vicinity of, Venus.

Animation of Mariner 2's trajectory from August 27, 1962, to December 31, 1962. Mariner 2 · Venus · Earth.

Mariners 3 and 4

Sisterships Mariner 3 and Mariner 4 were Mars flyby missions.

Mariner 3 was launched on November 5, 1964, but the shroud encasing the spacecraft atop its rocket failed to open properly and Mariner 3 did not get to Mars.

Mariner 4, launched on November 28, 1964, was the first successful flyby of the planet Mars and gave the first glimpse of Mars at close range

This archival image is an enhanced contrast version of the first Mars photograph released on July 15, 1965. This is man's first close-up photograph of another planet -- a photographic representation of digital data radioed from Mars by the Mariner 4 spacecraft. Data was either sent to Earth immediately for acquisition or stored on an onboard tape recorder for later transmission.

The pictures, played back from a small tape recorder over a long period, showed lunar-type impact craters (just beginning to be photographed at close range from the Moon), some of them touched with frost in the chill Martian evening. 

Mariner 5

The Mariner 5 spacecraft was launched to Venus on June 14, 1967, and arrived in the vicinity of the planet in October 1967. It carried a complement of experiments to probe Venus' atmosphere with radio waves, scan its brightness in ultraviolet light, and sample the solar particles and magnetic field fluctuations above the planet.

Mariners 6 and 7

Mariners 6 and 7 were identical teammates in a two-spacecraft mission to Mars. Mariner 6 was launched on February 24, 1969, followed by Mariner 7 on March 21, 1969. They flew over the equator and southern hemisphere of the planet Mars.

Mariners 8 and 9

Mariner 8 and Mariner 9 were identical sister craft designed to map the Martian surface simultaneously, but Mariner 8 was lost in a launch vehicle failure. Mariner 9 was launched in May 1971 and became the first artificial satellite of Mars. 

Mariner 10

The Mariner 10 spacecraft launched on November 3, 1973, and was the first to use a gravity assist trajectory, accelerating as it entered the gravitational influence of Venus, then being flung by the planet's gravity onto a slightly different course to reach Mercury. It was also the first spacecraft to encounter two planets at close range, and for 33 years the only spacecraft to photograph Mercury in closeup.

Venus in real colors, processed from clear and blue filtered Mariner 10 images

Mariner 10's photograph of Venus in ultraviolet light (photo color-enhanced to simulate Venus's natural color as the human eye would see it)

This mosaic shows the planet Mercury as seen by Mariner 10 as it sped away from the planet on March 29, 1974.

source x, x | images x

[emacrow]

Commander Johnson, I-I think I found what or who been stealing our extra spare material supplies

Astronaut Jennifer said in the com as she stared, standing stiff as a board if it weren't for the gravity of Mars making it difficult.

What she was staring at couldn't be human but yet so close and eldritchic- alien like as the inner part of her mind was screaming danger danger, That Is Not A Human Being, Run RUN RUN,HIDENOWHIDENOWNOWNOW

It's look like a adult, a very slim and very tall adult if it weren't for the fact that his skin was tanned with a bit of splash of starlights all over, wearing a suit made of galaxies covered in red Mars rocks, his hair was white, whiter then the clouds on earth, ears pointy and curled a bit as if it wa to shield or reflect to what its was hearing(but they has moved back in a aggressive manner thar remind her of snuffles when threaten) and eyes glows so ominously Neon Green with black instead of white surrounding the iris, splatter of star like freckles that looks like he almost has two pupils mixing into a slits like in each of them.

Teeths razor sharp and thick, as the thing looks like it was growling at her with his body arch over, hands with extra digits of long blacken claws like nails dig into the dirt, hiding all the stuff that the alien had stolen along with a lil head of another mar baby, it weren't for the fact there was no sounds in space, she would've been screaming float running back to her headquarters base.

She was only patrolling the part of the base where they were trying to grow plants in one of the green houses they painstaking made on Mar, but then she saw the glow of unnatural green slipping out of the sealed tight glass.

Curiosity took the best of her as she put on her suit and went to check at that spot is where she find what seem to be a native Mar creature and its baby hoarding all the missing stuffs that they had lost in the base, along with the missing robot, opportunity as the top of it's hoard pile in a makeshift hole(it's a Nest and she has enter this creatures domains) near a small pool full of of oddly frozen water that glowed luminous.

It was a stand off between her and the creature not moving an inch until Jennifer's coms responded back as she flinched, her heart dropping snd face paling dramatically when the creature's ear flick a bit as it heard the static electric device.

"J-J-J-Jennifer, do you copy? I repeat, Do you copy?!?" Commander Johnson spoke a bit frantic.

Unawared of the danger he had put Jennifer in when she flinched, the creature lunged, Jennifer scrambling to turn around and hop/run back into the safety of the base as fast as she could.

Like inspiration for @tinycoded360

[science70]

Astronomer Carl Sagan stands in front of a Viking lander mockup in Death Valley, California, c. late 1970s.

[a-dream-seeking-light]

Impact crater on Mars

In the southern highlands of Mars, CaSSIS spotted ancient and eroded craters filled with sediment. This is the case of this relatively old, 15 km diameter crater in Tyrrhena Terra, showing its age in its flattened rim – younger craters have sharper, more defined rims – and the degraded ejecta blanket.

There is a central uplift section to the crater, as well as many smaller craters, which also suggests an advanced age.

Beautiful dark dunes appear in contrast with wind-blown, pinkish ripples winding their way around the terrain.

Like most CaSSIS imagery, the colours in this image are stretched to highlight the diversity of surface composition.

CREDIT ESA/TGO/CaSSIS

[ecoharbor]

📍Santorini, Greece 🇬🇷

[sommerregenjuniluft]

@jegulus-microfic april 5 - slap - 1233 words - NSFW cw: spanking

for @persimminos & @messymoony & @stagpdf may the virgin!james adventures begin

“Mmn,” James makes, mouth full of cunt, eyes rolling into the back of his head at the way Regulus’ thighs start shaking. 

He’s moaning into the pillow his face is shoved into, toes curling.

And James can only agree, another noice rumbling through him when Regulus twitches harshly. It’s just that Regulus tastes so goddamn amazing, and he’s been letting James do this for two consecutive orgasms now so it’s admittedly a little hard for James to keep a straight head with the way his cock is throbbing with neglect and the urge to cum. He licks a straight path from Regulus’ little cock to his entrance going farther even and sucking at the furled skin of his hole too.

“Don’t stop,” Regulus pants, swinging one arm back to grab James by his hair and drag him back down.

Shoving his face right back between slick folds, smushing James’ glasses against his face, nose pressed in there too, no way of getting air and by god James didn’t know but suddenly he wishes he would black out from this. 

It’s been glorious upon glorious revelation for James ever since Regulus first initiated more than kissing between the two of them. For example finding out about his basically non-existent refractory period, about how a few well placed words and kisses on James’ pecs and stimulation to his nipples paired with a single finger stroking up and down his cock can make him cum. And apparently that he’d die a happy man if only with Regulus’ cock in his mouth.

He’s digging his fingers so hard into the soft give of Regulus’ thighs that James is pretty sure he will leave bruises. And that’s another thing on the list apparently, now that he thinks of it. Leaving Regulus in shades of purple and red and blue, leaving his mark on Regulus. James makes a mental note to ask him how he feels about hickeys later.

For now James keeps gripping and kneading the flesh, suddenly plagued with the urge to smack his palm flat against Regulus’ ass. God, he wants to hit Regulus. The prospect is exciting yet James recoils a little at how naturally it comes to him, something so animalistic. Yet. Regulus might actually like it…given how he’d explained to James earlier that he relishes in the sting of soreness, in the overwhelming feeling of being stretched to the brim and fucked until he thinks his insides might bruise.

James helplessly groans against Regulus slit.

Soon enough Regulus’ noises grow an edge, back arching impossibly and tugging so hard on James’ roots it stings and then Regulus shudders through yet another orgasm.

Once they’re laying down next to each other, limps loosely entangled and breathing slowly mellowing out, James approaches the subject.

“Um, Reg,” he gnaws on his bottom lip.

Regulus hums in response, eyes closed, face still flushed sexily.

James takes a deep breath, reminding himself that Regulus had reprimanded him to ask about anything he wanted to know or try. “Earlier there, um, I think I wanted to sorta slap your ass.”

Regulus’ eyelashes flutter open prettily, grey eyes fixing James in an instant and making his breath hitch. He purses his mouth a little, regarding James with intense curiosity. His voice is a little husky from too much use when he speaks up, “Wanna try it?”

“Y-yeah,” James nods, finding himself even more eager than usual.

A small grin plays with Regulus’ mouth and James is momentarily enraptured by the tip of a sharp canine digging into his lower lip before Regulus arches one brow.

“Oh, right now?”

“No time like the present,” Regulus purrs, hiking one of his legs higher up and wiggling his bum.

James cock kicks where he’s still hard and heavy against his stomach. He nods, “Mh, right, yes.”

He goes to sit up but Regulus interrupts. “Wait, sit up against the headboard a little.”

James pliantly does as told, scooting up and placing a pillow between his back and the cool wood.

“Mm, perfect,” Regulus murmurs, giving him a quick kiss before he leans over his lap and lets his crotch rest right against James’ thighs, his ass now literally right in front of James’ nose. When James doesn’t do anything for a few moments too long Regulus twists his head in his crossed arms, cheek squishing adorably and cutting James a look that says Today, perhaps?

James swallows, chest fluttering with nerves and spine tingling with…something else. Sometimes he gets the urge to just bite Regulus. Like, very fucking hard. He takes a deep breath. James doesn’t want to overdo it right on the first hit.

He draws his hand up, gaze flitting back to Regulus who holds the eye contact reassuringly and gives him a tiny nod, mischief sparkling in his eyes and smirk toying with the corner of his mouth. It gives James the needed confidence to let his hand come down quickly. There’s little force behind it, it’s almost gentle, like you would swat the fingers of your loved one away from a plate of too hot cookies but it felt good, to feel the pert flesh react under his palm.

James warily glances Regulus’ way again who, bless him, sends James another encouraging nod. “That was totally okay, baby. You can definitely go harder. If that’s what you want.”

It goes straight to James’ cock, twitching where it was resting against Regulus’ hip. “Harder?” he chokes, clearing his throat violently and fingers clenching involuntarily against Regulus’ ass. James already feels delirious with the mere suggestion. “Fuck, baby,” he groans, “You sure?”

“Yeah,” Regulus nods confidently, tilting his neck, shoulder blades rolling enticingly, “I can take it, Jamie.”

James makes a noise he’s not quite sure is human and then sucks in a stuttering breath, lifting his hand again. The next smack is decidedly harder. His palm lands right against the meat of his cheek with a resounding sound, skin immediately warming and when James takes it away he leaves behind a beautiful faintly red spot. James could cry right now.

“Oh, fuck- fuck,” his eyes snap to Regulus, watching this one lick over his lips, parted once more and eyes already lidded again. “Baby. Baby, fuck, can– Please, please can I do this again? I’m– fuck.”

“Yeah,” Regulus breathes, nodding slowly, “Like it. More.”

“Oh, god,” James thinks he curses something in Spanish but then he’s already swinging down again, aiming for the same spot and marvelling at the way the pale skin flushes in an instant.

James kind of loses count after the first 5 hits on each cheek. He only knows the way Regulus grows increasingly louder again, breath hitching into gasps and moaning into the crook of his arm, crossing his ankles and arching his back more as James starts drooling pre cum down to add milky white to the mess of red and barely there purple that’s making James’ head spin.

At one point Regulus orders James to stop for a minute as he lifts slowly, groaning, only to reposition and lay down again but this time with James’ cock trapped between his thighs, right against his wet entrance.

Now, whenever James’ hits land, he feels Regulus clench around him. Feels him twitch and squirm around his cock restlessly until James cums with a stuttering groan and a breathless laugh all over Regulus’ marvellously mottled skin.

[pangeen]

“ Big Brother of earth “ // © Duvvuru lokesh  

Music:  Tony Anderson - Ember

[theofficialastronomy101]

Moonset & Sunset over Mars! These photos never get old. From another world!

[celestialdaily]

The celestial object of the day is Phobos!

It's Mars's largest moon with 21 km (13 mi), it orbits Mars at only 6,000 km (3,700 mi) and it gets closer by 1.8 meters every year, at that rate is expected to collide with Mars or form a planetary ring in about 30-50 million years!