Yup…I’ve lost my mind! By Mark Brown

2020 Perseverance Rover snow sculpture (front) image credit: Mark Brown

Yup…I’ve lost my mind. Most people will go out and build a snowman or an igloo. Not me. I decided to build a Snow Rover – or a likeness to the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover that will land on Mars on February 18. 
I had no idea how much interest this was going to generate. I nearly broke my Twitter account yesterday after I posted my images. But a lot of positive feedback has returned from my fellow NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassadors as well as many NASA scientists, etc. Since we are very limited on doing in person public outreach events I had to find a way to reach other people. 
I have been doing a lot of virtual Zoom presentations, but like other ambassadors, we are finding that people are getting tired of the virtual stuff. So, rather than make a snowman, I made a Mars Rover. As such for all those driving by in my neighborhood or taking their daily walks, they had something to look at and see. This was just a different form of “public outreach” for all to see and to have fun with….and yes to grab a selfie. I placed NASA fact sheet flyers and NASA stickers outside next to the rover for people to pick up. I’ve exhausted my supply. LOL

2020 Perseverance Rover snow sculpture (left) image credit: Mark Brown

It took me 3 days to build and I completed it on Monday when the rover was 30 days away from its landing….yeah, kind of planned it that way too. But I wanted to share with you so you can share with others if you choose. I know my kids said their FB accounts blew up when they posted my images. The media has even had a hayday with my images. So there is no telling how many people have seen or heard about it. My Twitter views are nearing 90K as I write this.
But that’s what I’ve been doing with my “spare” time.
Mark

2020 Perseverance Rover snow sculpture (right) image credit: Mark Brown

Analyzing Video Footage Of Collapse of Massive Arecibo Telescope : Scott Manley

NSF begins planning for decommissioning of Arecibo Observatory’s 305-meter telescope due to safety concerns

November 19, 2020

Following a review of engineering assessments that found damage to the Arecibo Observatory cannot be stabilized without risk to construction workers and staff at the facility, the U.S. National Science Foundation will begin plans to decommission the 305-meter telescope, which for 57 years has served as a world-class resource for radio astronomy, planetary, solar system and geospace research.

The decision comes after NSF evaluated multiple assessments by independent engineering companies that found the telescope structure is in danger of a catastrophic failure and its cables may no longer be capable of carrying the loads they were designed to support. Furthermore, several assessments stated that any attempts at repairs could put workers in potentially life-threatening danger. Even in the event of repairs going forward, engineers found that the structure would likely present long-term stability issues.

Read Full Story Here: https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=301674

Arecibo Observatory’s 305-meter telescope in November of 2020.

Credit: University of Central Floridadefault