Do you want to see Mars even closer?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see a different planet?

 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to stand on the surface of a totally new planet, and look around at the alien landscape?  That’s a pipe dream – something that everyone dreams about, but will never happen in our lifetime.  Something that is nice to think about, but don’t really believe it could happen.  Well, wait, not so fast!

Despite our previous blog about Mars, where we offered you a brilliant opportunity to see the Martian planet up close with your backyard telescope, we understand that some of you will want to get even closer!

Well now you can – thanks to NASA

Some time ago, NASA made the impossible just that little bit more believable when the Curiosity Rover landed on the surface of Mars.  Okay, it is an remote control robot, so we can’t see Mars for ourselves, but Curiosity can see, and has even made a youtube clip for us!  Now you can live the dream and pretend you are standing on Mars as you scan around the Martian landscape.

NASA has released a video that puts you right up close and personal with the rugged surface of Mars.  If you have always wanted to see the surface of another world, then here is your opportunity like you will not be able to see anywhere else!

NASA has filmed a youtube video of Mars, and thanks to the internet, we can all travel to the Martian surface, even if just for a short while.  Here is the NASA video filmed from the perspective of the Curiosity space rover, which is remotely exploring the surface of Mars and providing these incredible images for our viewing pleasure!

 

The Curiosity rover is currently exploring the Gale Crater on the surface of Mars, and has traversed some incredible rough and rugged terrain in its mission to climb to a suitable vantage point in order to send home the best possible view of the features of the Martian surface.

The Curiosity rover has been exploring on the red planet since it landed on Mars back in 2012.

The space rover has continued to provide invaluable information about Mars ever since, such as recently when it began climbing the peak at the center of the Gale Crater, and will provide details not only of the impact zone within the Gale Crater, but also details of the remainder of the surface of Mars, such as the rim of the crater which surrounds the location of the little explorer.

Is There Water on Mars?

The images from the Curiosity’s cameras show wind sculpted textures carved from the surface of the planet beneath the rover, it has filmed close up details of the rocks and pebbles on the ground, and also searched for evidence of water or liquid flow across the surface.  There is already mounting evidence that liquid flows have occurred across the surface of Mars, and our understanding of what took place, and what was the mechanism for those liquid flows is still being developed.

For example, did Mars ever have oceans like we have on Earth?  Did Mars ever have flowing rivers as we understand water flows?  Can we find evidence of eroded rocks and boulders that demonstrate the passage of water or liquid?

And the big question for which we have always sought answers – has life ever existed on Mars?  Even if we cannot answer that question at them moment, the Curiosity rover may help to provide glimpses into the history of Mars that provide clues as to whether the conditions for life ever existed, or was surface of Mars too inhospitable for the origins of life to establish.

The Curiosity has not finished yet

As far as NASA is concerned, there is much yet to be achieved on this mission of exploration of Mars, and they are keen to see the Curiosity reach higher levels of exploration and achievement.  The next target is to reach the summit of Mount Smart which is the peak at the center of the Gale Crater, and this is considered a critical location.

Scientists hope that further exploration can reveal evidence of past life on Mars, and what the conditions were like on the surface of the planet in the distant past.

In the meantime, we Earth bound astronomers will have to be content with what we can we see through a telescope – if you want to check out some of the best telescopes on the market, feel free to read some of our independent product reviews on this website.

 

Check out more of the independent and best telescope reviews.

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