Paul Scott Anderson

The first drill holes on Mars

February 11, 2013 by Paul Scott Anderson

Here is another great view of the first two holes ever drilled on Mars, by the Curiosity rover. The first one, top, was made on …

Curiosity uses drill to collect first sample from inside Martian bedrock

February 10, 2013 by Paul Scott Anderson

Close-up view of the second, deeper drill hole. Click for larger version. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS — Close-up view of the second, deeper drill hole. Click for larger version.
Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS

The Curiosity rover has now drilled its second hole in a flat piece of Martian bedrock and obtained a sample for analysis by its on-board laboratory. This is the first time ever that such a drilling has been done on Mars.

The strange Martian ‘newberries’ of Meridiani

February 8, 2013 by Paul Scott Anderson

Some of the "newberries" as seen by Opportunity on sol 3207. Click for larger view. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech. — Some of the “newberries” as seen by the Microscopic Imager on Opportunity on sol 3207. Click for larger view. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech.

With all of the attention that Curiosity has been getting, we might almost forget sometimes that there is still another rover elsewhere on the planet, Opportunity, which is still going strong – in its ninth year now!

Curiosity’s first drill hole on Mars

February 7, 2013 by Paul Scott Anderson

Curiosity's MAHLI image of the first-ever drill hole on Mars. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS — Curiosity’s MAHLI image of the first-ever drill hole on Mars. Click for larger version.
Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS

The Curiosity rover has just successfully used its drill on a Martian rock for the first time! This image was taken by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on sol 180 (February 6, 2013).

Astronomers estimate 4.5 billion ‘Earth-like’ planets in our galaxy

February 6, 2013 by Paul Scott Anderson

There are now estimated to be about 4.5 billion "Earth-like" planets orbiting red dwarf stars in our galaxy. Credit: David A. Aguilar (CfA) — There are now estimated to be about 4.5 billion “Earth-like” planets orbiting red dwarf stars in our galaxy. Credit: David A. Aguilar (CfA)

There was more exciting exoplanet-related news this morning – a team of astronomers announced a new study today which estimates that there are likely about 4.5 billion “Earth-like” planets in our galaxy!

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