Space exploration

Myth is the public dream, and dream is the private myth. - Joseph Campbell

Mars - the Red Planet

If you look at Mars on a clear night, you can actually see that it shines with a slightly red tint. At least, we imagine that it is that way. In point of fact it is red, as you can see from this actual image.

There is a new satellite circling aroung the Red Planet at this very moment. It is doing survey work for us. The mission is an ambitious one. The Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter went into orbit around Mars on March 10. NASA says,

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter successfully put itself into orbit around the red planet on Friday, Mar. 10. The spacecraft will provide more science data than all previous Mars missions combined.

I would have loved to have participated in the space program at NASA. But, for many good reasons, that was not my fate. But I and all of us, can go along vicariously on all their journeys through the magic of the Internet and television.
NASA has never had all I would have liked for them to be able to spend on space exploration. Just think what could have been achieved if our nation had chosen to put more money into exploring the frontiers of space than they spend on fighting wars. The world would be a different place, indeed.
My "topical post" today at South by Southwest is about ballots vs. bombs in the Middle East.