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
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
