Mostly Mute Monday: Marvelous Mars (Synopsis)

“Studying whether there’s life on Mars or studying how the universe began, there’s something magical about pushing back the frontiers of knowledge. That’s something that is almost part of being human, and I’m certain that will continue.” -Sally Ride

When Curiosity landed on the martian surface in 2012, surviving "seven minutes of terror," it went straight to work, examining its surroundings and teaching us about the martian geology of its region.

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems, via http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/pia16453.html#.VQYFwmR4olA. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems, via http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/pia16453.html#.VQYFwmR….

But by time the end of the (Earth) year came around, it began to embark upon a different project: constructing the first billion-pixel mosaic panorama of the Red Planet. The results, well, spectacularly speak for themselves.

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems, via http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/pia16453.html#.VQYFwmR4olA. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems, via http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/pia16453.html#.VQYFwmR….

Go view the entire thing on Mostly Mute Monday: Marvelous Mars!

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I want to go!

Brilliant pics, as ever, Ethan.
I,ve seen places similar just out of Alice Springs ! Metal detector territory?

How amazing is this world. We are curious as humans exploring new and interesting places. Mars is hopefully just a stepping stone for future exploration in our marvelous galaxy. u15079709

By Brandon Putterill (not verified) on 28 Mar 2015 #permalink

It's truly amazing being able to see such a view of Mars. It may now only look like a barren wasteland of rocks and sand, but maybe in the distant future humans will in fact colonize it. If we can regulate oxygen levels and strike water it could very well be possible to colonize the planet.
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By Ruan de Witt (not verified) on 31 Mar 2015 #permalink

Indeed the Mars One project aims to establish a permanent human colony by 2027. Keep in mind that's just as far away as 2003. Whatever the future holds, it is unquestionably exciting!
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By Danté Hewitt (not verified) on 31 Mar 2015 #permalink

I have always wanted to go to Mars! Can't wait for all the photo's future projects will yield.

By John Livingstone (not verified) on 03 Apr 2015 #permalink

Are there photographs of the surface of any other celestial bodies, excluding the earth, moon and Mars?

By Vivienne du Toit (not verified) on 03 Apr 2015 #permalink

Any guesses on what the big discovery on Mars will be announced today?
I'm thinking it will be the mates to all the lost socks from the laundry and the match to the other shoe you've seen laying on the sides of roadways.

By Ragtag Media (not verified) on 28 Sep 2015 #permalink