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Red Planet
Mars is the fourth from the Sun and is commonly referred to as the Red Planet. The rocks, soil and sky have a red or pink hue. The distinct red color was observed by stargazers throughout history. It was named by the Greeks as Ares but the name that's come down to us was given by the Romans in honour of their god of war. The ancient Egyptians named the planet Her Descher meaning the red one.
 Currently there is more than one mission to Mars. Historically, the success rate of such missions to the red planet has not been good with about 50% failing. Interestingly, the USSR tried several times to get get probes there, but all failed.
The European Space Agency's Mars Express and NASA's Mars Odyssey and Mars Global Suveyor missions are all ongoing and, of course, the Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers have had their on-planet missions extended. Sojourner was the first rover laned on Mars in 1997.
Mars is seen as the one planet that might provide a somewhat comfortable habitat for human colonisation (perhaps with a long program of terraforming). The "canali" seen by astronomer Percival Lowell in the late 1800s turned out, unfortunately, to be a trick of perception rather than great irrigation works contructed by the red planet's imagined inhabitants. NASA are planning to send a manned mission to Mars but that could be decades away.
Meanwhile, amateur astronomers can gaze at the planet through today's increasingly better performing telescopes and produce images that the profressionals would have envied only a couple of decades ago.
On this page you'll see where Mars is in relation to Earth and what face it currently presents to us. There's also all the recent news on the red planet and missions to Mars. Towards the bottom of the page are various observation and data resources, including a couple of comprehensive online books.
NASA's Phoenix Spacecraft Lands on Mars (May 25, 2008)
| Current Mars News
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This week Earth and Mars are having a close encounter. On Jan. 27th, the Red Planet will be only 99 million kilometers away and look bigger through a telescope than at any time between 2008 and 2014. Read more... ESA and NASA have today issued an announcement of opportunity soliciting proposals for scientific instruments for the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, one element of the joint ESA-NASA ExoMars programme. Read more... NASA announced today that Mars rover Spirit cannot be freed from its Martian sandtrap. Now the rover will begin a second career as a stationary science platform. Read more... 8 Feb 2010 at 7:58am Guest: Frederick Ordway. Topics: Space leadership, space policy, Wernher von Braun leadership as compared to space leadership today. Frederick Ordway III, author of "The Rocket Team," returned to discuss the release of the new Apogee edition of his book. His book is available on the One Giant Leap Foundation book page and if you buy it through this link, http://www.amazon.com/dp/1894959825?tag=onegialeafou-20, Amazon makes a contribution to OGLF/The Space Show. In our first segment, Mr. Ordway provided us with a first hand background of von Braun and his rocket team. He talked about the genesis of the team going back to the 1920's in Germany. He also talked about the arsenal system for building rockets and the differences in that system with those of the Air Force system. In bringing the discussion forward to the present time, Fred suggested that the big risk was canceling the in-house Ares 1 arsenal type system, giving up that long standing heritage, having no target to aim for, no mission, placing even our astronauts and their future at risk. Make sure you listen to Mr. Ordway's comments on these important issues. In our second segment, Anthony in the U.K. called in and Fred told about his U.K. experiences, the relationship with the UK, and the rocket team dating back through World War 2. This is a history many of us do not know very much about. Listener Marshall wanted to know just how important the Administrator's budget recommendations were and this resulted in Mr. Ordway talking about the budget and its potential impact on the space program. He also commented that in the past we have man rated ballistic missiles including the Redstone, Atlas, and the Titan, all successfully and we could do it again. But he stated that while this could be done, the danger was in dismantling the legacy of how we develop and build human spaceflight rockets. Several times during this discussion, Mr. Ordway suggested we were putting our Saturn heritage rockets at risk. Other listeners asked about the Chinese space program and Fred used the term "ChinAmerica." Don't miss this discussion. The conversation kept coming back to the proposed new space policy and our guest said that using EELV for human spaceflight was a valid and he also talked about the need to continue with the ISS and to fully use it for science and more. Fred received lots of questions about recapturing the Apollo spirit for our nation's space program. One listener suggested we should stop dwelling on Apollo and move forward. Fred talked about the uniqueness of Apollo in that it was a first and that made a huge difference. Later in this segment, he talked about von Braun being awarded the second slot in the Top 100 Stars of Aerospace poll in 2003. Toward the end of this segment and the program, Fred was asked for some lessons learned from the period of the Rocket Team to be applied to today. He suggested it was very important to maintain the team, keep and maintain a steady budget, and Congress needs to balance out important issues. If you have questions or comments for Frederick Ordway, please email him at ordmars@aol.com. Read more...
2 Feb 2010 at 9:00pm ( European Space Agency) The Mars Express High Resolution Stereo Camera has imaged craters both young and old in this view of the Southern Highlands of Mars. Read more...
1 Feb 2010 at 9:39pm Guest: Don Beattie. Topics: U.S. civil space policy in the 2011 budget, Space Shuttle retirement. Donald Beattie returned as our guest to discuss his book, "ISScapades: The Crippling Of America's Space Program" which can easily be applied to our situation today given the Administration's 2011 budget and civil space policy announcement. The book can be purchased from the One Giant Leap Foundation book page by using this URL: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1894959590/ref=onegialeafou-20. When buying books through the OGLF Amazon Partners book website, Amazon makes a contribution to OGLF/The Space Show. In our first segment, Mr. Beattie told us why in his opinion we should not retire the Space Shuttle. We discussed the probable shuttle retirement as outlined in the Obama 2011 budget but Don also talked about the impact retirement would have on space and how it could be kept flying for at least two missions a year through 2016. He also told us about his discussions on the subject with Florida Members of Congress and their reactions. This is a discussion you do not want to miss. As you will hear, there is a way to keep shuttle from retiring and Don believes that cancelled lines could be restarted without much significant added cost. He also believes that by keeping shuttle flying there would be no GAP and this would be a good transition to the use of commercial launchers for human spaceflight. In our second segment, we discussed the cancellation of our returning to the Moon and instead substituting NEOs and Mars. However, he pointed out that all of these missions were lower in priority than specific science missions including getting a centrifuge on the ISS. The subject of the Space Shuttle Main Engines came up as did Bigelow's space station. We also talked about converting EELV to human spaceflight. In our final segment, Don said he was impressed that the Administration actually listened to the Augustine Commission Report. We talked about how the VSE was never properly funded, administered, or explained to the general public, a theme regular Space Show listeners have heard me say since the VSE was announced in 2004! We also talked about the need to have a transition, hopefully a near seamless transition, from government launchers to commercial launchers so that the transition was not so harsh and the risk not so great as in putting all the eggs in one basket. Listeners called and asked lots of questions during the show but we were reminded of the flight tests that were used for the Saturn 1B, then how quickly the Saturn V flew with astronauts on board. Don had much to say about NASA and its management back then versus that of today. If you have questions or commend for Donald Beattie, please send them to me at drspace@thespaceshow.com and I will forward them to him. Read more...
31 Jan 2010 at 5:10pm Guest: Les Johnson. Topics: Environmentalists and space advocates, using space to improve condition on Earth now. Les Johnson returned to The Space Show to discuss his new book, "Paradise Regained: The Regreening of Earth." This book is available at the One Giant Leap Foundation book website, http://www.amazon.com/dp/0387799850?tag=onegialeafou-20. Remember, if you buy it through OGLF, Amazon makes a contribution to The Space Show. In our first segment Les provided us with an introduction to his book and the need to use space to better the living conditions for the peoples of the world today and the future. We discussed the cost to the taxpayer for our space program and Mr. Johnson referred to the potato chip comparison. He talked about the need for the development of a long term strategy for utilizing space resources and for the Moon, plus other benefits that come from space development. Toward the end of the segment, we discussed the fact that there was no ecosystem on the Moon despite some groups saying if we went to the Moon we would damage or even destroy the lunar environment. We also talked about lobbying for space based solutions to Earth's problems, NASA as entertainment according to one listener and the potential for fusion and the use of HE3 on the Moon. In our second segment which lasted to the end of the program, we talked about the obvious conflict within the environmental community and with space advocacy. Our guest explained why both groups have much in common and are a natural to work together. We discussed extremist positions in both camps and how to improve on the exchange so that our areas of mutual interest can be developed. Mr. Johnson's book does an excellent job of speaking to both communities on these important areas of common ground so I strongly recommend you read and understand it. We also talked about the moral and ethical issues regarding the extreme environmental position versus going outward to space. This is a discussion you must hear. Later in this segment, Andrew called in and talked about myths in both communities and the lack of spirituality in the space community while being strong in the environmental community. This too emerged as an important discussion topic so listen carefully to what all of us had to say on this issue. SSP came up and our guest talked about its importance to everyone on Earth and how it could inspire us. Listen to what he had to say about inspiration. Later in this segment, I asked him for three solutions from his book to the problems we had been discussing. Listen to what he says those three solutions are and see if you agree. All are detailed in his book. As we moved toward the end of the show, we talked about the need for civility in the space advocacy community, leadership in the space community and what that might mean for spreading space advocacy views to a wider audience, and about the space community engaging more of the spiritual. Visit the Less Johnson website at http://lesjohnsonauthor.com. If you have a question or comment for Les Johnson, please email him from the website or at les.mail@lesjohnsonauthor.com. Read more...
29 Jan 2010 at 7:17pm Guest: Dr. Haym Benaroya. Topics: New space policy, return to the Moon, Mars, the need for a grand space vision. Dr. Haym Benaroya, author and Rutgers University engineering professor, returned to discuss his two new books and the preliminary reports pertaining to the new space policy to be announced Feb. 1, 2010. In our first segment, Dr. Benaroya introduced us to his two new books which will soon be available on the One Giant Leap Foundation book page. You will be notified when they are available for your purchase. The two books are "Lunar Settlements" and "Turning Dust To Gold." It did not take us long to get Professor Benaroya's thoughts on the preliminary news about the forthcoming changes in our space policy, including the cancellation of the return to the Moon program. Dr. Benaroya spent most of the show talking about this and related issues and he believes it means to the U.S., education, leadership, etc. to cancel the Moon program. In fact, you will hear similar thoughts from our UK listener in the fourth segment of the program. In the first segment, we also talked about the probability of another nation getting to the Moon instead of us and what that might mean for the U.S. In the second segment, we talked about student interest in certain academic programs knowing the government had terminated the Moon program. Dr. Benaroya had interesting thoughts on that given he has ten undergraduate students in his lunar engineering course. He then focused on international partnerships for lunar development as outlined in his book, "Turning Dust To Gold." Toward the end of this segment, he received a call from a Huntsville listener asking if having a PhD helped or hurt one's chances for getting a job in the space industry. You might be surprised by Haym's response to this listener. In our third segment, we talked about the loss of jobs along the Florida space coast due to the closing down and retirement of the Space Shuttle and in general, the loss of jobs within the space workforce. Another listener asked our guest to make the business case for the Moon. Listen carefully to what Dr. Benaroya said and how he responded to this question. I actually think its one of the best responses to this often asked question I have heard. We talked about the Japanese interest in going to the Moon and the opportunity cost issue for investing in the Moon versus something else. At the end of this segment, a San Diego listener asked our guest how best to get our elected representatives to listen to us given the current political climate in which its now established they don't listen that well to what we have to say. Haym offered some suggestions and I suggested personal visits to staffers in local offices. In our final segment, Charles called in form Mojave and said that if the early press reports were correct about the space policy, the cancellation of Ares would be equal to a magnitude 7.0 earthquake for NASA. He said he hoped this would afford us the opportunity to take a good, hard look at NASA and start revamping the organization. Neither the guest or I thought this would happen. Dr. Benaroya talked about the continuity of space policy from one administration to another and the dangerous signals sent to the community when one administrations cancels the programs of the earlier one. This is an interesting discussion so you don't want to miss it. Toward the end of this segment, Dr. Benaroya spoke at length about the importance and value of a space vision for a great country. If you have a question or comment for Dr. Haym Benaroya, please email him at benaroya@rci.rutgers.edu. Read more...
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| Other Astronomy News Resources
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| Mars Observing Resources
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International Mars Watch
A group founded by professional astronomers interested in Mars to facilitate better communication between the amateur and professional Mars observing communities.
B.A.A. Mars Section
The British Astronomical Association Mars Section is the oldest body in the world for the collection and publication of observations of the Red Planet.
A.L.P.O. Mars Section
Contact information for the Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers and some lunar resources provided by the association.
Mars Nomenclature Table
Official names of features on Mars as approved by the International Astronomical Union.
Clickable Atlas of Mars
This atlas will let you explore high-resolution color maps of most of Mars.
Observing the Planet Mars
Online book providing all the information you need to help you observe Mars.
The Planet Mars: A History of Observation and Discovery
An online book by psychiatrist and amateur astronomer William Sheehan, about a history of fascination - the story of a continuing line of amateur and professional astronomers dedicated to the observation of the planet Mars.
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| Mars Data Resources
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Mars Institute
Informs the public on the results, progress, and benefits to humankind of Mars exploration through the development and implementation of educational and public outreach activities.
Mars Today
Mars Today is a poster produced daily by the Center for Mars Exploration at NASA's Ames Research Center. The updated poster depicts current conditions on Mars and its relationship to Earth in six panels.
Daily Martian Weather Report
The latest martian meteorological measurements from the Mars Global Surveyor Radio Science Team are posted regularly on this page.
Mars24 Sunclock
Mars24 is a Java program and browser applet which displays a Mars "sunclock", a graphical representation of the planet Mars showing its current sun- and nightsides, along with a numerical readout of the time in 24-hour format. Other displays include a plot showing the relative orbital positions of Mars and Earth and a diagram showing the solar angle for a given location on Mars.
Mars Network
Mars Network is being studied at JPL as a possible future element of NASA's Mars Surveyor Program and is managed out of the Mars Network Office within JPL's Telecommunications and Mission Operations Directorate
Mars (Views of the Solar System)
Comprehensive information on all aspects of Mars, covering the Mars missions, major features, animations and information on its two moons.
Mars (Nine Planets)
Information on the red planet with a general overview and more detailed coverage on the planet and its moons, the 'face' on Mars and Mars in the Arts.
Explore Mars Now
Uses as much realism as possible to allow visitors to explore Mars and play around with an interactive Maras habitat.
High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment
The Mars Explorer allows you to get an image map of any area on Mars at a variety of zoom factors, image sizes, and map projections.
Mars Express image browser
Click on the flags on the Martian surface to see images from ESA's Mars Express.
Virtual Mars
Explore Mars with a click of your mouse! Click on the image of Mars, and it will be redrawn with the selected point at the center of the view. Click on the button beneath the image to toggle the names of surface features and landing sites on and off.
Mars Exploration Program Landing Sites
Provides online visualization tools for the various landing sites on Mars and other Mars-rover related resources.
High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment
The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) will fly on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) mission, planned for launch in August of 2005. HiRISE will investigate deposits and landforms resulting from geologic and climatic processes and assist in the evaluation of candidate landing sites.
Center for Mars Exploration
NASA site with features including historical references to Mars, previous Mars mission information, tools to analyze Mars, current Mars news, and much more.
NASA Mars Exploration Program
NASA site which covers ongoing Mars missions and a variety of Mars exploration science themes.
Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera Image Gallery
The Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) Image Gallery is now online. This site contains 187, 000 pictures of Mars acquired by NASA's Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) orbiter through September 2004.
Mars Atlas Revisited: The MGS MOC Wide Angle Map of Mars
The most detailed atlas of Mars ever compiled is now freely available on the internet.
MOLA Images
Topographic images of Mars from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter.
Mars Unearthed
This site contains Mars images, comparisons, animations, and stereoscopic free view and 3D
anaglyphs created from images captured by the Mars Global Surveyor's Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) and from camera systems aboard the Spirit and Opportunity rovers.
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| Special News Coverage of Mars
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BBC: Exploring Mars
Keep up to date with the BBC's ongoing coverage of various Mars missions.
CNN: Exploring Mars
Keep up to date with CNN's ongoing coverage of the Pathfinder and Mars Global Surveyor Missions.
MSNBC: Return To The Red Planet
MSNBC's coverage of the Mars missions. Contains up to date and archived news stories.
Mars Team Online
Contains live webchats about Mars with NASA experts; an email service (and archive servixe) in which NASA experts answer your individual questions; biographies of NASA experts and background sections and Mars mission information.
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| Mars Societies and Ventures
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The Mars Society
The Purpose of the Mars Society is to further the goal of the exploration and settlement of the Red Planet. This is achieved by 1) Broad public outreach to instill the vision of pioneering Mars;. 2) Support of ever more aggressive government funded Mars exploration programs around the world; 3) Conducting Mars exploration on a private basis.
West to Mars
The home page for those people wishing to support a manned Mars mission in the near future.
RedColony.com
A site devoted to the terraforming and colonization of Mars.
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| Mars Missions
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Mars Exploration Rover Mission
NASA homepage for the ongoing missions of the Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers.
ESA Mars Express
Mars Express is Europe's first spacecraft to the Red Planet. It carries seven instruments and a lander. The orbiter instruments are remotely investigating the Martian atmosphere, surface and subsurface. Beagle 2, the lander, was expected to perform on-the-spot measurements and also search for signs of past life.
Beagle 2
The Beagle 2 project was the British led effort to land on Mars as part of the European Space Agency's Mars Express Mission launched in 2003.
Mars Global Surveyor
The latest up-to-date information and pictures from the Mars Global Surveyor Mission.
2001 Mars Odyssey
NASA site which contains all the information and pictures from the Mars Odyssey Mission.
Mars Pathfinder Homepage
NASA site which contains all the information and pictures from the Pathfinder Mission.
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| Mars Missions
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The "Face on Mars"
This page will provide interested persons with both the raw Viking images, transformed to GIF format, and a brief tutorial (with examples) of image processing techniques applied to create "better looking" images.
Mars Meteorites
Of the 20, 000 meteorites that have been discovered on Earth, only 12 have been identified as originating from the planet Mars.
International Committee Against Mars Sample Return
A group of professional scientists and amateur space enthusiasts who think there is a chance that a Mars microbe could wreak havoc on terrestrial species, which would have no natural defenses against the alien invaders.
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