The Mars Report – April 14th 2014

                  Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Well, since I last published about Mars, April 7^th, there has been some hubbub about… well, a light… on… Mars! Yes, as on can well imagine, this had the blogo’sphere burning daylight. ‘An independent light source seen on Mars!’ Had very nutcase and shut-in burning up their ISPs with radical ideas about its source, and reason. My Dear Readers, if that is the ‘kind of’ blogging you are looking for… then this is not the place for you. Please exit stage left…

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However, if you want the scientific explanation, then you have arrived at the correct blog. First, let’s get all the anticipation out of the way. Below is one of the images that has raised all the fuss.

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First Martian Image with Light source

(First Martian Image with Light source)

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Now, from the left eye camera, within seconds of the image above, there is no light source.

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SAME Spot Left EYE within one second

(SAME Spot Left EYE within one second)

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Anyone with experience with photography will understand; if it is does not appear in both camera images… at the same time. Then it is likely not a ‘Martian trying to signal our rover’. More likely thatn not, what we have here is a very shiny natural source somewhere in the foothills of Mount Sharp. A rock surface with a very shiny surface which, when viewed at this spot from a very particular angle reflects in a camera lens. It is quite likely that, if there were humans there, they might very well not see this reflection.

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Further proof of what (and NASA) have proffered as an answer, is the image below?

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“A pair of Navcam images in the same direction from the previous afternoon has a bright spot similarly located in the right-eye image.”[1]

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Same camera previous afternoon

(Same camera previous afternoon)

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At least for me, this is more proof that what we are witness, is nothing more than a lens flare. If you have ever had photography as a hobby, and made either rock concerts or landscapes your forte then you will have been exposed to (even lost great images, too) lens flares. Below is our final image in this conversation. I have taken the liberty to copy and paste the text from NASA.

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“This image from the Navigation Camera (Navcam) on NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover includes a bright spot near the upper left corner. The sun is in the same direction, west-northwest, above the frame. Bright spots appear in images from the rover nearly every week. Typical explanations for them are cosmic rays hitting the light detector or sunlight glinting from rocks.”[2]

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Bright Spot Toward Sun in Image from NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover

(Bright Spot Toward Sun in Image from NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover)

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So, for me at least, this puts this whole matter to bed. However, If sometime in the future… by some galactic fluke, these images crop up in the news again. I will take the time to address them… again. Honestly, there is so much ‘good science’ happening with the “Mars Science Laboratory – Rover Curiosity’ that all this is a merely a distraction. ‘Good Thing’? These images brought Curiosity, and the science NASA is involved, on the Martian surfaceinto the view of the public. Like the old saw ‘Any exposure is good exposure’.

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Sitting here, and putting this article together, I thought to myself… ‘I would certainly be remiss to just publish about this lark…’ Looking at the published images (refined, categorized and ready for press release) there really isn’t anything new since my last edition of ‘The Mars Report’. Honest, I looked at several of the sites.

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Now, I do not wish to be remembered as ‘that guy who never went the extra mile…’ So, I have managed to put together some images I had taken a pass on, before, that have real scientific merit. For all of My Dear Readers? Those wonderful regulars that come often and stay long? I am writing this Sunday afternoon at 6PM, long after the publication of ‘A Week in Review’. This week promises to be very busy and I am working to get ahead of the curve.

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Our next image is the strongest evidence, so far, NASA/JPL has found of flowing liquid water on Mars. Now, for science junkies and the like, this a majorly important image. Rather than work to paraphrase what NASA/JPL has released with this image. Let me present to you their words, exactly as presented with this image.

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“The outcrop characteristics are consistent with a sedimentary conglomerate, or a rock that was formed by the deposition of water and is composed of many smaller rounded rocks cemented together. Water transport is the only process capable of producing the rounded shape of clasts of this size.”[3]

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Sounds reasonable to me, how about you? Now, let me share the image they wrote about.

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Link to a Watery Past

(Link to a Watery Past)

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Since we are on the topic of fluid water on the Martian surface, let me bring you another image as evidence. In an outcrop called Shaler’. In the Yellowknife Bay of area of Mars’ Gale Crater this outcrop was found. In this image we see inclined layering called ‘cross-bedding’. This only occurs as the result of passing fluid water and is indicative of sediment-transport in stream flows. Thus adding to the growing scientific evidence that fluid water once flowed on the Martian surface. Me thinks that it is surprising (and also rather revealing) that science like this does not make the news… yet lens flares, somehow, do. What curious creatures we American humans, are. Yes?

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‘Shaler’ Unit’s Evidence of Stream Flow

(‘Shaler’ Unit’s Evidence of Stream Flow )

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Week, before last, I ended this series with an image of the Earth from Mars. I am always working to keep things in perspective. How small our planet is, when view from the Martian surface. It gives me pause, and should serve as food for thought. Tonight, I bring you yet another image of perspective. In this image, if enlarged enough, one can see our Earth and the moon from the Martian surface.[4]

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Earth and our Moon from Mars

(Earth and our Moon from Mars)

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With that, we come to this week’s edition of ‘The Mars Report’. I really do enjoy bringing this series, and these images, to you My Dear Readers. I can only hope that they, and I, have brought some wonder and even joy… to you.

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!

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P.S. Just a little FYI for all of you, My Dear Readers. ‘The Mars Report’ has become the #1-article aeries here at The Other Shoe. Last week’s edition gathered 31 ‘Likes’ in less than one week! Be a part of the phenomenon and be sure to ‘Like’ this edition, too. I must admit… when I started this blog… I never imagined I would be publishing two weekly series looking to the stars. Thank you!

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The Other Shoe’s Daniel Hanning 2/2014

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[1]http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=6135

[2]http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=6135

[3]http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=4719

[4]http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA17936-MAIN-evening_star_annotated-br2.jpg

Lost in Sapce #1 – March 26th, 2014

(Hubble Looking into the Heart of the Milky Way)

(Hubble Looking into the Heart of the Milky Way)

         Welcome back MY Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today, and with this article, I am launching a brand-new series of articles for The Other Shoe. As you can see from the title of this article the name of this all-new series is ‘Lost in Space’. Yes, I lifted the name from a TV series I very much enjoyed as a boy. However, every month I find more and more articles, about space, that just do not fit into ‘The Mars Report’. Therefore, from this day forward every article about space exploration, space flight, experimentations and space flight, the potential commercial colonization of Mars, and/or any other article I find about space will be found here every week in ‘Lost in Space’.

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Now, as I mentioned in a recent article I published here, it is unlikely yours truly will ever slipped the surly bonds of earth. You just don’t know, My Dear Readers, how much that thoroughly sucks. Life goes on. Just because I will not be able to embrace my personal dreams of leaving Earth’s orbit. That does not mean I cannot help bring the wonders of space to you, My Dear Readers.

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You see, My Dear Readers, last week while I was celebrating the 400^th article published here at The Other Shoe and the four year anniversary I wrote that I would do anything to improve this blog. That I was going to read double my efforts to make The Other Shoe a better place for all of you. A better place for all of you to come for; entertainment, information, political editorial, creative writing, news from space and even of horror story or two. I don’t know if I’m doing this in spite of or because of my declining health.

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Each passing day I can tell that I am able to do less. Each week I feel more pain, and ‘new’ pains. Meaning, I feel pain doing things in my day to day life, where it wasn’t painful a week… or month ago. They say ‘pain is a great motivator’ and I guess my actions here are proof of the truth in those words. Regardless of my pain, I am pushing myself to; write more, think more about different articles, challenge myself to write in fields I have not, and publish more often. This is my goal, and so far I am able to meet that goal.

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Last week, in seven days, I wrote and published twelve articles. Yesterday, I wrote and published two articles in one day. I have planned, to repeat that performance today.

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So, for as long as I am physically able you, My Dear Readers, will garner the fruit of my redoubled labors. It was in that spirit that this ‘new’ series ‘Lost in Space’ was born, today. I would not be the least bit surprised if you bear witness to more ‘births’ of new and different content, over the coming weeks and months. Just as a little FYI I was just tossing around the idea of a ‘new’ series of articles named “The World Around Us’. This series will be a catch-all for all things space oriented, and ‘The World Around Us’ would be a catch-all for all things ‘earth sciences. What do you think?

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For our very first image, in this the premier edition of ‘Lost in Space’, I take you to The Boomerang Nebula[1]. The Boomerang nebula is located 5000 light years from our home here on earth. It is located in the Constellation Centaurus and is also known as ‘The Bow-Tie Nebula’. This nebula has a very unique characteristic. The temperature in the nebula is 1 K (−272.15 °C; −457.87 °F), making it the coolest natural place in the known universe.

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Ghostly Specter Haunts the ‘Coldest Place in the Universe’

(Ghostly Specter Haunts the ‘Coldest Place in the Universe’)

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My Dear Readers, I thought that the striking beauty of The Boomerang Nebula, combi9ned with it the title of coolest place in the known universe made this the prefect candidate for ‘First Image’ for ‘Lost in Space’. I wanted to start this series off with a bit of a bang, and since I could not find any available images of ‘The Big Bang’ I figured this would do nicely. Above you will see my first reference (#1) right after the name ‘The Boomerang Nebula’, if you follow that link it will take you to a page with lots of information on this nebula. My Dear Readers, I will endeavor to make sure that each of the articles in this series will have lots of links for you to follow for more information. I would like to encourage your curiosity, and make it easy for you to ‘read more about it’. J

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Our next image, My Dear Readers, is a starscape taken by the Hubble telescope (FYI all of today’s images are from the Hubble Space Telescope) looking into Terzan 7[2]. Believed to have originated in the Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy[3], Terzan 7 is a young globular cluster. Terzan 7 sets itself apart from other young globular clusters, in that it posses a very rich population of blue stragglers[4] concentrated near the center. I was just impressed with the clarity of the image and the overall brilliance.

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Hubble Looks into Terzan 7

Hubble Looks into Terzan 7)

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Well, I have a pretty good feeling about how this new series is started out so far. Unlike many of my other articles, My Dear Readers, I am not going to leave the best for last. Therefore, if you are a big fan of supernovas then our next image will certainly rank your favorite. Captured while happening in the M82 Galaxy[5], also known as the Messier 82 Galaxy a ‘starburst’ galaxy, is a supernova! The death of several certain types of stars, this is one of nature’s Galactic Firework displays. In this image, the supernova can be seen in the picture-in-picture in the lower right hand corner of the image. ENJOY!

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Hubble Monitors Supernova In Nearby Galaxy M82

(Hubble Monitors Supernova In Nearby Galaxy M82)

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Out of the six images today, from the Hubble space telescope, the next image is by far my favorite. The earth is located in one of the arms of our spiral galaxy, far out from the center of our Milky Way galaxy. The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy, a common formation from our current observations. Our Milky Way galaxy is a very calm spiral galaxy. However, not all spiral arm galaxies are quite so sedate. In our next image we see two spiral galaxies (NGC 4038 and NGC 4039) locked in a deadly embrace. For the past few hundred million years these two, normally sedate spiral galaxies, have been sparing with one another. The gravitational actions have literally torn suns out of their host galaxies. Thus creating the a streaming arc between the two galaxies. Currently in a state of starburst the two are now forming an Antenna Galaxy. The nature of starburst cannot continue, and will result in either the two separating from each other or form one very large elliptical galaxy. I think the image is just striking, as is imagining the immense gravitational forces locked in this deadly dance.

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NASA Hubble Sees Sparring Antennae Galaxies

(NASA Hubble Sees Sparring Antennae Galaxies)

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Our last image, for this the premier edition of ‘Lost in Space’, is of the actual birth of a star! Forming in the Chameleon cloud[6] the Hubble has captured this striking image. We can clearly see the gases as they stream from the poles of the forming star. Creating a most ethereal object this sun will be known as HH 909A. The streaming gases have illuminated this entire region of space. As if to say, to any onlookers, ‘Hey, look at ME I am being BORN!’. It is images like this one, and really all of those I have shared here today, that have given birth to my fascination with space.

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Hubble Looks in on a Nursery for Unruly Young Stars

(Hubble Looks in on a Nursery for Unruly Young Stars)

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You see, My Dear Readers, I believe that earth is like mankind’s cradle… or crib. It is where we were laid, once born of star stuff. Our crib is where were have cut our teeth in science… and through war. It is where we were/are confined until such time that we, as a nation and/or a species, set our priorities on getting out of our crib. As with a human child, it is my belief that mankind was not meant to spend the entirety of our existence… in our crib!

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Just as, over time, mankind threw off the notion that the earth was flat and that if you sailed long enough… you would fall off the earth. Mankind must throw-off the notion that we are earth-bound. IMHO In order for mankind to avoid, eventual, extinction we must leave this earth. I believe that the real future of mankind is as a space-faring species. The sooner that we make; life in space, the exploration of other galaxies, and the colonization of other planets a reality. The sooner we will; decrease the incident of war, increase the opportunities for financial and educational equality for all, end hunger, and continue mankind’s stalled evolution.

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MY Dear Readers, I hope that you have enjoyed this, FIRST, edition of ‘Lost in Space’. I hope that I have given you images as eye-candy, and a little science as mind-candy. I look forward to bringing you the next edition of “Lost in Space’, and the one after that, and the one after that, and so on and so on. Thank you for taking the time out of your lives to spend here, with me, looking to the stars!

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As always I am deeply honored that you come here and read my work.

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Thank YOU!

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[1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boomerang_Nebula

 

[2]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terzan_7

[3]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittarius_(constellation)

[4]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_straggler

 

[5]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_82

 

[6]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamaeleon

 

400th Article at The Other Shoe – Part Four

RAW/Natural/White Balanced image from Curiosity

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Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. This is Part Four of the series of article celebrating my 400^th article here at The Other Shoe. Now, My Dear Readers, I have taken you back to the very beginnings of this love of mine, The Other Shoe. I have shared retrospect of several of the successful series I have published over the years. Today, I am devoting this Part Four to a look back over the series The Mars Report.

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Started the day of (or the day after) Curiosity made a soft-landing on the surface of Mars at Bradbury Point. I published over a dozen articles of The Mars Report. On October 4^th, 1957 Sputnik was launched from the former U.S.S.R. and, just weeks later Daniel Hanning was born. I am, quite literally, a child of the ‘Space Age’.

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My curiosity for all things space and extraterrestrial I have had an unquenchable thirst. The Mars Report was a natural extension of that unquenchable thirst and a tall glass of relief, too. Since my reading of ‘The Martian Chronicles’ (by Ray Bradbury – Namesake of the landing zone of the rover Curiosity on Mars) I have viewed Mars through deeply curious eyes. We now know that liquid water flowed on the surface of Mars.

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The presence of liquid water tells us that, at some point in the past, Mars had an atmosphere. Of all the extraterrestrial bodies, in our solar system, Mars is the best candidate for Terraforming. That the moon may be mankind’s first celestial body/space, that Mars is the only logical starting point for any travel outside our solar system. Regardless of mankind’s ability to see, today, the eventual role Mars will play in our evolution. Mars will be a huge stepping-stone from which mankind will launch himself into the stars.

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Today, with this Part Four of the celebratory series of articles for the 400^th publication here at The Other Shoe. I chose to highlight The Mars Report series of articles. Therefore, without further adieu, I bring you a short history of my scientific series The Mars Report!

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Curiosity Lowered By ‘Sky Crane’ to Martian Surface

• Curiosity’s First Images from Mars : “This Saturday (August 5th, 2012) NASA and JPL reached the climax of the current Mars Lander/rover project, Curiosity. I was watching, on JPL web TV as the ‘Seven Minutes of Terror’ culminated with America putting the largest and most sophisticated rover on the surface of Mars. The one ton Curiosity has its own; nuclear reactor, laser drill, 20″ tires, and ten scientific instruments and High Definition cameras. Just released today, 3D images coming from Curiosity. Looking at them, I think we will all need to dig up our ‘Red/Blue’ 3D glasses to enjoy these gems.” This article is the beginning of The Mars Report. It was not until later in the series that I ‘landed’ (pun, intended) on the current title for the series; The Mars Report. I really did sit and watch, via internet broadcast on the JPL Web site, the Mars Lander successfully place Curiosity on the Martian surface @ Bradbury Point. Curiosity represented the single heaviest non-human payload ever deposited on extraterrestrial soil. They accomplished this task with the very first use of a ‘Sky Crane’ that hovered over the landing site and slowly lowered the Curiosity package to a successful soft-landing. I think I might have held my breath the majority of the ‘Seven Minutes of Terror’ along with the staff/crew at JPL. The successful accomplishment of this task has opened huge vista of exploration for NASA/JPL, and mankind. After witnessing the landing… I just knew that I had to write about the adventure Curiosity had just embarked. I had to involve and inform you, My Dear Readers, of this Herculean effort and journey. I am write happy I did.

This is a self portrait of the mast of the Curiosity rover.

• Curiosity Update – The Mars Report – September 1st 2012: “This is our first ‘The Mars Report’ for the month of September, 2012. Since I wrote, last, the rover has moved! Yes, Curiosity has moved from the landing zone and is starting the longest journey of any extraterritorial vehicle in the history of mankind. If Spirit and Opportunity are good examples, we will be seeing Curiosity roving and taking samples and pictures in 2020. Curiosity has his own nuclear power plant and supplemental solar power, too. So, I am sitting here and looking at the images that I have uploaded for today’s article, trying to figure out which I should lead with, what image comes first? The ‘Vanity’ shot, of course! Here is an image, from the Curiosity rover, showing the tracks it has made in the Martian soil. You can clearly see the robotic arm, in the foreground, with Curiosity’s name.” This is, like, the second or third of this series. It is the first edition where I have panoramic (HD) images to post with the article. I have started to incorporate more and more of the information from the NASA/JPL web site into the descriptions of the images. Basically, I am honing my work and improving the quality of the articles in this series. Now, I am a long way from the level of work I am publishing now. However, already I am seeing that The Mars Report has the ability to drive a lot of traffic to my blog. That is welcome news, at this point, as I am (at the time of it first publication) I was working hard to raise the funds I needed for my power chair. I really do wish I could repeat that success, now. I would really like to eat on a regular basis.

On Sol 84 (Oct. 31, 2012), NASA’s Curiosity rover used the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) to capture this set of 55 high-resolution images, which were stitched together to create this full-color self-portrait.

• Mid-May The Mars Report: “Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to the Mid-May edition of The Mars Report here @ The Other Shoe. It is a genuine pleasure to bring you this edition of The Mars Report. Reason? This is a special edition devoted to panoramic shots of the surface of Mars! This article has NO: rocks, drilled holes, tire tracks or self-portraits (well… maybe just one shot of the rover Curiosity… Have to give her props for what she does!). So without further adieu I bring you the plains and mountain of our sister planet, Mars.” At the time of the publication of this article, Curiosity had found its way out onto open areas. This allowed for huge panoramic views from the mast camera and I spared no time sharing these breath-taking views with you, My Dear Readers. This article was the very first to include a self-portrait of/by Curiosity. This series was getting better with every edition, and I was all too happy to see the corresponding increases in traffic.

This is a High Definition Panorama of the Martian horizon from Curiosity in the shadow of Mount Sharp.

• The Mars Report in 3D! : “Welcome, My Dear Readers, to the 3D issue of The Mars Report here @ The Other Shoe. This entire issue will contain nothing but three-dimensional images from curiosity on Mars. I have wanted to bring a three-dimensional issue to you, My Dear Readers, but until this week the NASA JPL website just did not have enough images. That situation changed this week.” This edition of The Mars Report was my very first 3-D publication. I explained what kind of glasses you needed to find/use to see the images in full three-dimensions. The article received a fair amount of traffic and 19 ‘Like’s. I did not repeat this type of article. I was concerned that you, My Dear Readers, might have difficulty finding the right type of 3D glasses to full enjoy the technology. This article shows the creativity and joy that writing and publishing this series brought me. I continued to publish this series, up until my health became more of an issue… and a hindrance.

Mars Rover Looks For Route via Dingo Gap

• The Mars Report – January 30, 2014 : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today I am ushering in the return of one of Today I am ushering in the return of one of my favorite series of articles; The Mars Report. I remember when I announced, right here at The Other Shoe, that the rover Curiosity had successfully landed on the surface of Mars. That was more than 500 days ago, and now I bring you the most up-to-date news from Curiosity and Mars.” This issue of The Mars Report signals the, hopeful, return of this series to The Other Shoe. Curiosity has traveled a great distance, since last we checked in on the rover. We are no approaching the ‘Dingo Gap’ looking for the safest approach to Mount Sharp. In the images included in this issue you can clearly see the foothills (of Mount Sharp) in the background. The panoramic images are still breath-taking and a real draw. I hope that I can continue to update this series on a regular basis, and bring all of us more and more news from the Martian Surface.

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That brings us to the end of this, Part Four of ‘400^th Article at The Other Shoe. I am working on bringing you the Conclusion of this celebratory series, this weekend. I will bring together all the content from all five of the series in a way that showcases the very best of my blog’s first 400 articles and four years.

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I am hoping that my health holds out, until I am finished with this review. Today I am making a venture into Anaheim to help Allen with the resolution of a legal matter. It will be a long day, starting at 6AM and I will get done about 6PM. I hope that everyone has enjoyed this retrospect of 400 articles and four years here at The Other Shoe.

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My Dear Readers, I consider it a responsibility as well as a joy to write and publish for your entertainment and education. I will always work just as hard as my body and pain allows. I hope that you have enjoyed this retrospect of The Mars Report and I look forward to bringing more of the Martian adventure to you, soon.

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As always I am deeply honored that you come here and read my work.

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Thank YOU!

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http://www.ebay.com/usr/enzomatrixlt

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The Other Shoe’s Daniel Hanning 2/2014

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350th Article at The Other Shoe – Conclusion

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Daniel Hanning of The Other Shoe

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                         Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today I am here to culminate my celebration of the publication of Three Hundred-Fifty articles published at The Other Shoe.  I am deeply moved by the huge number of ‘Likes’ the five parts of this series received. Not since my publication of ‘The Story of Daniel’ and my first publications of ‘The Mars Report’ have I seen traffic this brisk, and enjoyment this marked. I work tirelessly, each and every week, on the publications here at The Other Shoe. Most times I work having eaten little, for weeks at a time. Every day I write in spite of terrific pain. Regardless of my hunger and regardless of my pain I work because I value you, My Dear Readers, and I value your time and your consideration.

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It is not often that one person can find a creative outlet that brings happiness and enjoyment to so many other people, at no cost to them. I work, every day I am able, to find new and different subjects to write. I want to try and meet the reading needs of as many people as is humanly possible. People love to read. I have always loved to read and the more differing subjects the better. I do my best to write without judgment, and for the most part I succeed at that goal.

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Today I come here to present the conclusion of the celebration of my achievement, 350 articles published here at The Other Shoe. Through sickness and through pain. Through hardship and through mounting hunger, I have pressed myself to goals most see as unobtainable. I do it all for you, My Dear Readers, and I do it out of love. For, over the past four years, you have stood beside me and given me the strength to continue. Strength even to excel at writing for the future, and holding a bight light against the past.

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This series, ‘350^th Article at The Other Shoe’ was presented in five parts. Honestly, I could have presented six, or seven… as many as ten. However, my work was gravely cut short. I was not cut short by a lack of; desire, creativity, nor material with which to present. Rather Indeed, I was cut short by dire and upsetting news of my health. I, thankfully, have been prescribed a better and stronger pain medication. After ten years of taking my current medication, without ever abusing the medication once, my doctor saw the severity of my pain due to a degeneration of my health. I am very thankful that he trusted me so much as to give me a very powerful pain medication. It is bringing me much needed sleep, and more time spent with less severe pain.

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Now that my pain is better managed, I am ready to write and publish this conclusion to the celebratory series of articles. I will present this conclusion as a review of the five articles that made up this series. Much like my ‘A Week in Review’ I will present each of the five articles, in order, with links to the article and a synopsis of their content. At the end of this review I plan on sharing a little about the future of The Other Shoe.

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Now, without further adieu I bring you ‘350^th Article at The Other Shoe – Conclusion’:

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• ·        350th Article at The Other Shoe – Part One: “I welcome this milestone in my publishing/writing career at this time. Lately, I have been writing articles… strong articles back in the political vein. Unfortunately, I know that there are some of you, My Dear Readers, that do not like my political works. I understand that this group of readers are, sometimes, even offended by what I write. That you feel my political work is not fairly balanced and that I lack objectivity. Whereas I respect your opinion? I fear that the case may be made that this may not be entirely true… Early on I was setting a tone and raising the bar of journalistic integrity. I refused to merely kowtow to Democrats and lambaste Republicans. I had a deep desire to treat, My Dear Readers, with honesty and integrity from the onset.” In this first edition of this series, I take you back to my very first article. I share with you, My Dear Readers, the reason I started writing this blog, hyperbolic rhetoric to sew the seeds of hyper-partisanship. I explain that I desire to be a quite and credible counterpoint to the radical fervor of the ‘Far Right’ (soon to be known as the ‘Tea Party’). I want to write political works that truly are fair and balanced, but not only that I want to shine a bright light on the hypocrisy of this ilk and the overt greed. I feel that I could be a genuine alternative source, for some, from this hypocritical and bigoted machine of hyperbolic rhetoric. I knew then, as I know now, that taking a stand against avarice will make me a target. Some will stoop to use friendship, like a hammer. Reasonable support and assistance, merely a reward for parroting like-minded rhetoric. My Dear Readers, I do without food to stand my moral ground. I refuse the accusations that any words, not offered as kowtowing, are harsh judgments and my thoughts but insults. I am eternally thankful that all of you, My Dear Readers, know better.
• ·        350th Article at The Other Shoe – Part Two : “Yesterday I did my very BEST to convey my innermost feelings about the political work that I publish. I did my level best to communicate that the political articles I do publish I do not want to offend or upset Americans of either stripe. I conveyed that I am a ‘Reagan-Democrat’ and that I am proud of my political beliefs. I shared with you that my beliefs are complex and that I do not merely parrot another person’s rhetoric and call it my won thoughts. I genuinely endeavored to explain why I write about the political topics that I do. I tried to explain that it is never my intent to; offend, upset, persecute, demean or insult people with whom I do not share the same political bent.” My Dear Readers I HAVE managed to write numerous political articles without ever demeaning or insulting those with whom I have differing beliefs. On more than one occasion I have been, publicly, reproached for “putting down Republicans or the Republican party”. Each and every time this has happened? I have invited the party accusing me of open prejudice and insult to go over my body of work and QUOTE a SINGLE time I have insulted or demeaned someone for being Republican!” Each and every time I am met with silence. Reason? I am not a ‘saint’ but I do take care to not insult the person, just lay bare the offending policy or action. A PRIME example of this is the question I wrote for Bob Shieffer to use on ‘Face the Nation’. A call went out, over the ‘Face the Nation’ Facebook page for a followers to submit questions for Bob To ask Senator Mitch McConnell. Many people submitted questions, as did I. I am very happy to announce that Bob Schieffer  used MY question in the interview with Senator Mitch McConnell! I asked ‘Why are Republicans allowing Freshmen Congressmen to control the (debt) debate. It is like allowing the teenager in the house to control the family budget!’ He was stumped, My Dear Readers. So very stumped that he did not EVEN answer the question. So timely and accurate was my question, that the dynamic behind the question was not resolved until THIS YEAR! For three years Republicans (in the House) allowed the Freshmen ‘Tea Party’ members to hi-jack our government and damage our nation’s credit rating all over a ‘Debt-Debacle’. The result of the Speaker “Allowing Freshmen (Congressmen) to control the debate”? TWO terms of the “Least Productive Congress in HISTORY” and Congressional Republicans with SINGLE digit Approval and ROACHES being more popular than Congressional Congressmen. IF only Senator McConnel and Speaker Beohner HAD listened to my question, earlier!
• ·        350th Article at The Other Shoe – Part Three: “It is these series articles, here at The Other Shoe, that I would like to focus in today’s installment, Part Three. In just the past two years I have embarked on three different series articles. Two, of the three, I managed to bring to completion. The third, which was the first, I have yet to complete. It is this series of articles that I begin with, today. ‘The Story of Daniel’ ended up being an nine part (incomplete) series. Today, I bring you my favorite article of ‘The Story of Daniel’! In this, the THRID, edition of my 350^th celebration I focus of my beginning SERIES of articles. To this point I had only written and produced single issue, and single edition articles. I had yet to expand my writing abilities into multi-edition articles. This is when that trend changed, and my blog saw New Life! At this point I already imagined and considered a ‘multi-issue’ article on the Mars rover Curiosity and its mission on Mars. I had yet to start said series, but it was on my mind. ‘The Story of Daniel’ was my very first extended series of article at @ The Other Shoe. It was the result of a suggestion by a friend, during the campaign. Honestly, I did not think that it would help at all, and would represent much more work than it would garner funds. In the end, that proved to be the case. The contributions never went up, as a result of ‘The Story of Daniel’ and my brother Darrell ended up making a huge contribution that sent me over the top. However, now the ‘Series’ bug had bitten me, and I managed to turn a bad idea into a good one with MANY following series of topics that people WANTED to read! ‘The Whittling of America’ was definitely one of the series that many people, of several nations, genuinely enjoyed. The series focused on the growing disparity between those ‘Haves’ (that prospered during the recovery), and the 98% of America the ‘Have-Nots’. Through NO fault of their own, the 98% of Americans were getting less and paying more for it. Be ‘it’; food, rent, clothing, health care, cars, gas, transport and even as simple as a movie. The gap was growing, and it was growing rapidly.

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Allen and Daniel on Bear Mounts in WOW

• ·        350th Article at The Other Shoe – Part Four: “Now, the world of MMORPGs I was a little late to the party. I had played Guild Wars, right before I entered the world of Azeroth in World of Warcraft. I know it’s crazy but just writing the name of that game… takes me to that place. Since I started playing I have spend nearly an entire year ingame in WoW. I know that sounds like a lot, but spread over seven years, it is only like one day out of each week spent playing. That is a lot easier than one might think. The game is highly addictive, especially if you are good.” Now, My Dear Readers, Part Four focused on MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games), specifically the MMORPGs that I had played! Let me be brutally honest, My Dear Readers. IF I could JUST write about PC Gaming and MMORPGs and STILL have the traffic, support and respect I currently enjoy? I would do that in a heartbeat. However, I know that my political works are very important to you, My Dear Readers, as is “The Mars Report’, excerpts from ‘The Adventures of Princess Nadia’ and everything else that I share with you. I simply must present a rounded approach to my blog. I will always present information, screen shots, and videos from PC Games… as long as I have a blog and a computer to play games on, this I will do. I do love MMORPGs. They combine my love of computers, with my love of gaming, and add in a large amount of social interaction. Unfortunately, of late I have little time to spend in games. I am SO SORRY Jason Kleppinger… that I have been unable to join you in Rift. I PROMISE that I am making every effort to get in game with you and play. Please forgive me, and I look forward to seeing you IN Rift, soon. In the series ‘MMORPGs And YOU!’ I reviewed and showed screenshots and videos of NINE MMORPGs! It was quite an accomplishment and marked the pinnacle of achievement for me. Each of the NINE articles included screen shots of my character and mounts (the horses and like that we ride in game to go faster), videos of game play (most of the time I tried to get video of battle and sometimes with a ‘Boss’), and with each I tried to tell you about a different game mechanic. By the end of the series, everyone should have possessed a rudimentary knowledge of how an MMORPG is played, and hopefully enticed you enough to try playing a game of this genre. Writing and publishing this series was the single most pain I ever suffered writing, preparing and publishing any series. However, at the same time it was the most fun, too.

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Erosion by Scarp Retreat in Gale Crater

• ·        350th Article at The Other Shoe – Part Five : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. This is Part Five of the series of article celebrating my 350^th article here at The Other Shoe. Now, My Dear Readers, I have taken you back to the very beginnings of this love of mine, The Other Shoe. I have shared retrospect of several of the successful series I have published over the years. Today, I am devoting this Part Five to a look back over the series The Mars Report.” What CAN I say? ‘The Mars Report’ is an ongoing series of articles here at The Other Shoe. As much as I love PC Gaming, I love Space and space travel. The odds are greatly stacked against me ever getting into space. Even IF my novel does extremely well, and I make lots of money. I seriously doubt that any antion would put me into a spacecraft and into orbit. Just oo much of a liability, and too much of a chance ot death in space. However, I just couldn’t think of a BETTER way to die, than in space! At this point, I am not sure just how many ‘The Mars Report’ I published. I think that it is somewhere between twelve and fourteen. That beats out ‘MMORPGs And YOU!’, and all other series. I can see that this series will continue just as long as this blog continues. This Fifth part takes us all the way back to the very first edition of ‘The Mars Report’ and ends with excerpts from that week’s edition of the series. This week, I am going to add a little something different to ‘The Mars Report’. Nope, I am not going to tell you (here) what that is, you are just going to have to come here and see for yourself. It will be worth your time and effort, trust me.I love seeing Mars. I love sharing the images and the science of Mars. Most of all? I love that mankind still has a chance of pioneering SPACE and making SPACE our future, and leaving earth as our crib. It is my belief, that is how mankind’s existence was intended, and if we fail and pioneering SPACE? Our species will most assuredly become extinct.

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Well, My Dear Readers, that brings us to the very end, of the end of the 350^th celebration. I cannot put into words just how much I have enjoyed your company, over the past week and six articles. I am very proud that I have written, edited and published 350 articles here at The Other Shoe. I genuinely hope that my health allows me the opportunity to publish another 350 articles. I have it in me; I very much want to share.

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It is my hope that I will continue to write, and hopefully sell some of my possessions at eBay, so that I might keep my cell phone… and just maybe retire the ‘Pay-Day advance’ I have been forced to keep since October of last year. IF I could do those things… I have a feeling I would be happy, again.

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I do make mistakes. When I do I apologize immediately. I do not let things fester in the background for; weeks, months, years. Judge not, least yea be judged. I write as often and as much as I am physically able. I do so out of love, I do so as a way to ask for support… but not without giving my work as payment for support. Last week I found out that I have a “Subdermal Tumor” that must be removed and biopsied to find out if it is benign or not. That has me… concerned… and upset that I must face this… and a fever that never goes away… a result of “either the hardware or the bone grafts” becoming infected.

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Hence, a visit to an oncologist and an Infectious Disease Specialist I must make in the next two months. Not the end of the world, but boy say “Howdy!’ would I rather not face this alone (without the ability to talk to friends I grew up with over the phone) and hungry. I mean, really, facing possible cancerous tumor AND infected hardware or bone graft ON TOP OF being hungry all the time… That is asking… a lot… from a man already depressed, and all. OK, I am so sorry that I just did that… wrote all that. I am sorry.

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I am not going to remove it… I will just stop here and ask your forgiveness for my ‘opening up’ and sharing my fear(s) and problems.

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I will write again soon. Next should be a ‘The Mars Report’. I hope to see you then.

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As always I am deeply honored that you come here and read my work.

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Thank YOU!

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P.S. I am still without much food in my home. I do my best, honest I really do. I am not lying about how much money I make… I do not lie about the lack of food I suffer. I sincerely apologize for even mentioning this problem. However, it was a good friend  that told me… “Danny, if you don’t tell people your needs… there is no way those that want to help, know when they CAN help.” I am asking for help. I have written in many articles how to help. One way is to click the link below to my eBay Store for The Other Shoe. Please… if you can… Please do help.

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The Other Shoe eBay Store

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The Other Shoe’s Daniel Hanning

 

350th Article at The Other Shoe – Part Five

RAW/Natural/White Balanced image from Curiosity

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Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. This is Part Five of the series of article celebrating my 350^th article here at The Other Shoe. Now, My Dear Readers, I have taken you back to the very beginnings of this love of mine, The Other Shoe. I have shared retrospect of several of the successful series I have published over the years. Today, I am devoting this Part Five to a look back over the series The Mars Report.

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Started the day of (or the day after) Curiosity made a soft-landing on the surface of Mars at Bradbury Point. I published over a dozen articles of The Mars Report. On October 4^th, 1957 Sputnik was launched from the former U.S.S.R. and, just weeks later Daniel Hanning was born. I am, quite literally, a child of the ‘Space Age’.

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My curiosity for all things space and extraterrestrial I have had an unquenchable thirst. The Mars Report was a natural extension of that unquenchable thirst and a tall glass of relief, too. Since my reading of ‘The Martian Chronicles’ (by Ray Bradbury – Namesake of the landing zone of the rover Curiosity on Mars) I have viewed Mars through deeply curious eyes. We now know that liquid water flowed on the surface of Mars.

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The presence of liquid water tells us that, at some point in the past, Mars had an atmosphere. Of all the extraterrestrial bodies, in our solar system, Mars is the best candidate for Terraforming. That the moon may be mankind’s first celestial body/space, that Mars is the only logical starting point for any travel outside our solar system. Regardless of mankind’s ability to see, today, the eventual role Mars will play in our evolution. Mars will be a huge stepping-stone from which mankind will launch himself into the stars.

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Today, with this Part Five of the celebratory series of articles for the 350^th publication here at The Other Shoe. I chose to highlight The Mars Report series of articles. Therefore, without further adieu, I bring you a short history of my scientific series The Mars Report!

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Curiosity Lowered By ‘Sky Crane’ to Martian Surface

• Curiosity’s First Images from Mars : “This Saturday (August 5th, 2012) NASA and JPL reached the climax of the current Mars Lander/rover project, Curiosity. I was watching, on JPL web TV as the ‘Seven Minutes of Terror’ culminated with America putting the largest and most sophisticated rover on the surface of Mars. The one ton Curiosity has its own; nuclear reactor, laser drill, 20″ tires, and ten scientific instruments and High Definition cameras. Just released today, 3D images coming from Curiosity. Looking at them, I think we will all need to dig up our ‘Red/Blue’ 3D glasses to enjoy these gems.” This article is the beginning of The Mars Report. It was not until later in the series that I ‘landed’ (pun, intended) on the current title for the series; The Mars Report. I really did sit and watch, via internet broadcast on the JPL Web site, the Mars Lander successfully place Curiosity on the Martian surface @ Bradbury Point. Curiosity represented the single heaviest non-human payload ever deposited on extraterrestrial soil. They accomplished this task with the very first use of a ‘Sky Crane’ that hovered over the landing site and slowly lowered the Curiosity package to a successful soft-landing. I think I might have held my breath the majority of the ‘Seven Minutes of Terror’ along with the staff/crew at JPL. The successful accomplishment of this task has opened huge vista of exploration for NASA/JPL, and mankind. After witnessing the landing… I just knew that I had to write about the adventure Curiosity had just embarked. I had to involve and inform you, My Dear Readers, of this Herculean effort and journey. I am write happy I did.

This is a self portrait of the mast of the Curiosity rover.

• Curiosity Update – The Mars Report – September 1st 2012: “This is our first ‘The Mars Report’ for the month of September, 2012. Since I wrote, last, the rover has moved! Yes, Curiosity has moved from the landing zone and is starting the longest journey of any extraterritorial vehicle in the history of mankind. If Spirit and Opportunity are good examples, we will be seeing Curiosity roving and taking samples and pictures in 2020. Curiosity has his own nuclear power plant and supplemental solar power, too. So, I am sitting here and looking at the images that I have uploaded for today’s article, trying to figure out which I should lead with, what image comes first? The ‘Vanity’ shot, of course! Here is an image, from the Curiosity rover, showing the tracks it has made in the Martian soil. You can clearly see the robotic arm, in the foreground, with Curiosity’s name.” This is, like, the second or third of this series. It is the first edition where I have panoramic (HD) images to post with the article. I have started to incorporate more and more of the information from the NASA/JPL web site into the descriptions of the images. Basically, I am honing my work and improving the quality of the articles in this series. Now, I am a long way from the level of work I am publishing now. However, already I am seeing that The Mars Report has the ability to drive a lot of traffic to my blog. That is welcome news, at this point, as I am (at the time of it first publication) I was working hard to raise the funds I needed for my power chair. I really do wish I could repeat that success, now. I would really like to eat on a regular basis.

On Sol 84 (Oct. 31, 2012), NASA’s Curiosity rover used the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) to capture this set of 55 high-resolution images, which were stitched together to create this full-color self-portrait.

• Mid-May The Mars Report: “Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to the Mid-May edition of The Mars Report here @ The Other Shoe. It is a genuine pleasure to bring you this edition of The Mars Report. Reason? This is a special edition devoted to panoramic shots of the surface of Mars! This article has NO: rocks, drilled holes, tire tracks or self-portraits (well… maybe just one shot of the rover Curiosity… Have to give her props for what she does!). So without further adieu I bring you the plains and mountain of our sister planet, Mars.” At the time of the publication of this article, Curiosity had found its way out onto open areas. This allowed for huge panoramic views from the mast camera and I spared no time sharing these breath-taking views with you, My Dear Readers. This article was the very first to include a self-portrait of/by Curiosity. This series was getting better with every edition, and I was all too happy to see the corresponding increases in traffic.

This is a High Definition Panorama of the Martian horizon from Curiosity in the shadow of Mount Sharp.

• The Mars Report in 3D! : “Welcome, My Dear Readers, to the 3D issue of The Mars Report here @ The Other Shoe. This entire issue will contain nothing but three-dimensional images from curiosity on Mars. I have wanted to bring a three-dimensional issue to you, My Dear Readers, but until this week the NASA JPL website just did not have enough images. That situation changed this week.” This edition of The Mars Report was my very first 3-D publication. I explained what kind of glasses you needed to find/use to see the images in full three-dimensions. The article received a fair amount of traffic and 19 ‘Like’s. I did not repeat this type of article. I was concerned that you, My Dear Readers, might have difficulty finding the right type of 3D glasses to full enjoy the technology. This article shows the creativity and joy that writing and publishing this series brought me. I continued to publish this series, up until my health became more of an issue… and a hindrance.

Mars Rover Looks For Route via Dingo Gap

• The Mars Report – January 30, 2014 : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today I am ushering in the return of one of Today I am ushering in the return of one of my favorite series of articles; The Mars Report. I remember when I announced, right here at The Other Shoe, that the rover Curiosity had successfully landed on the surface of Mars. That was more than 500 days ago, and now I bring you the most up-to-date news from Curiosity and Mars.” This issue of The Mars Report signals the, hopeful, return of this series to The Other Shoe. Curiosity has traveled a great distance, since last we checked in on the rover. We are no approaching the ‘Dingo Gap’ looking for the safest approach to Mount Sharp. In the images included in this issue you can clearly see the foothills (of Mount Sharp) in the background. The panoramic images are still breath-taking and a real draw. I hope that I can continue to update this series on a regular basis, and bring all of us more and more news from the Martian Surface.

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That brings us to the end of this, Part Five of ‘350^th Article at The Other Shoe. I am working on bringing you the Conclusion of this celebratory series, this weekend. I will bring together all the content from all five of the series in a way that showcases the very best of my blog’s first 350 articles and four years.

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I am hoping that my health holds out, until I am finished with this review. Next week, on Tuesday, I have an all day adventure of, going to see my primary care doctor. This adventure starts at 7AM and I get home around 8PM. I will not be posting on Tuesday February 4^th, 2014. That doesn’t mean that you cannot look over all the great work I have published over the past two weeks. Nor does it mean that you can’t surprise me by… well, lending a hand! My wouldn’t it be wonderful to come home and discover I had the resources to actually dine out!

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My Dear Readers, I consider it a responsibility as well as a joy to write and publish for your entertainment and education. I will always work just as hard as my body and pain allows. I hope that you have enjoyed this retrospect of The Mars Report and I look forward to bringing more of the Martian adventure to you, soon.

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As always I am deeply honored that you come here and read my work.

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Thank YOU!

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Just a shot of a VERY thankful Danny in His Power Chair

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The Other Shoe eBay Store

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The Other Shoe eBay Store

Mid-May The Mars Report

Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to the Mid-May The Mars Report here @ The Other Shoe. It is a genuine pleasure to bring you this edition of The Mars Report. Reason? This is a special edition devoted to panoramic shots of the surface of Mars! This article has NO: rocks, drilled holes, tire tracks or self-portraits (well… maybe just one shot of the rover Curiosity… Have to give her props for what she does!). So without further adieu I bring you the plains and mountain of our sister planet, Mars.

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This is the first 360-degree panorama in color of the Gale Crater landing site taken by NASA’s Curiosity rover. The panorama was made from thumbnail versions of images taken by the Mast Camera.

(Click on the images in this article to see the Full Sized Images)

(This is the first 360-degree panorama in color of the Gale Crater landing site taken by NASA’s Curiosity rover. The panorama was made from thumbnail versions of images taken by the Mast Camera. )

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This is a shot of Mount Sharp looking up from Rocknest. I tried to make ‘thimbnails’ of the larger iamges (they are quite large and in HD). Unfortunately, the blog would not accommodate the original size. Therefore, I have made the best of a bad situation and croped a middle size just for my blog and you My Dear Readers! 🙂

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Now, before we get to the beautiful panoramic images here is an overhead shot of the area Curiosity and we have been. The surrounding crater is Gale Crater and the center is Mount Sharp. There is no ‘scale’ here, but the mountain is larger and higher than Pike’s Peak in Colorado. So, here is the great overhead of our stomping grounds.

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This graphic shows the pattern of winds predicted to be swirling around and inside Gale Crater, which is where NASA’s Curiosity rover landed on Mars. Modeling the winds gives scientists a context for the data from Curiosity’s Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS).

(Image made for showing thermal patterns gives up a great overhead view)

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Our next image is a low-level shot of Mount Sharp from the Rocknest area. This was earlier in the mission, about Sol say 54) and Curiosity is much further from Mount Sharp.

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This panorama is a mosaic of images taken by the Mast Camera (Mastcam) on the NASA Mars rover Curiosity while the rover was working at a site called “Rocknest” in October and November 2012.

(This panorama is a mosaic of images taken by the Mast Camera (Mastcam) on the NASA Mars rover Curiosity while the rover was working at a site called “Rocknest” in October and November 2012. )

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This next shot takes us a little further back in our adventure, like back in the beginning (August 8^th to be exact). This is a 360-degree shot of Gale Crater wall, near the landing zone

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This is the first 360-degree panorama in color of the Gale Crater landing site taken by NASA’s Curiosity rover. The panorama was made from thumbnail versions of images taken by the Mast Camera.

(This is the first 360-degree panorama in color of the Gale Crater landing site taken by NASA’s Curiosity rover. The panorama was made from thumbnail versions of images taken by the Mast Camera. )

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Well, My Dear Readers, we are coming to the end of this adventure to Mars. I cannot tell you how nice it was to have you drop by and spend a little while. I appreciate your time and the effort you make to ‘Like’ my articles and my Facebook page for The Other Shoe. I am trying to make a go of this blog and every ‘Like’ helps. Below you will find the very first panoramic 360-degree self-portrait of Curiosity. Even in the first weeks she was covered in a layer of dust.

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On Sol 84 (Oct. 31, 2012), NASA’s Curiosity rover used the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) to capture this set of 55 high-resolution images, which were stitched together to create this full-color self-portrait.

(On Sol 84 (Oct. 31, 2012), NASA’s Curiosity rover used the Mars Hand Lens Imager
(MAHLI) to capture this set of 55 high-resolution images, which were stitched
together to create this full-color self-portrait.)

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Nice shot, huh? Well I have to say that I have enjoyed this edition quite a lot. These are the images that I enjoy most, but realize that I need to share all the images I can and try and meet the visual needs of the most people. Be sure to share, if you enjoyed this edition, over Facebook and let your friends and family enjoy these great panoramic images from Curiosity on Mars.

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I look forward to your next visit, and hope that today finds you and your loved ones well. Take care, and remember… ‘Like’ and ‘Share’. 😉

The Mars Report – The National Air and Space Museum Awards

Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to the very first ‘The Mars Report’ since my return to The Other Shoe. This was always one of my favorite articles to write, and share. Enjoy!

By coincidence, fate, destiny or just sheer luck I have returned to The Other Shoe and ‘The Mars Report’ just in time to share with you some very important news. The curiosity team (The Mars science laboratory project at JPL) has won the National Air and Space Museum lifetime achievement award for the landing of the Curiosity rover.

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        “The team in charge of successfully landing NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity, managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., received the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s highest group honor at a dinner in Washington on Wednesday night, April 24. The 2013 Trophy for Current Achievement honors outstanding achievements in the fields of aerospace science and technology. “

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This is a huge honor for Joseph Sutter and the team at NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory project. Now many of you will have never heard of Joseph Sutter, unless you are an aviation nut there would be no reason to know this man until now. However, while Sutter was working with Boeing, he led the project that (in record time) revolutionized air travel. The project was designing the world’s first wide-body “jumbo jet”, the Boeing 747 ‘Super Jumbo’. The Boeing 747 superliner was the very first aircraft of its type, and changed the airline industry. Mr. Sutter is now known as “The Father of the 747” and now the leader of the team that landed Curiosity safely on Mars.

Below is a short video (animation not real life) of that incredible landing on Mars.

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Since this project lifted off from the launch pad in Florida I was convinced Curiosity would be winner. Now the National Air and Space Museum has validated my feelings. IMHO This is what is missing in modern America, a larger interest in science and space. Most of you, My Dear Readers, grew up around the same time as I. We grew up to; Red Stone, Gemini, and the culmination of a generation’s efforts the Apollo project. Our generation looked at the stars in the sky with hope. Hope for our country beating the U.S.S.R. at putting a man on the moon (they had beat us in the beginning with Sputnik). Some how, now, our nation is satisfied with only venturing into space via IMAX and ‘Real 3D’ while sitting comfortably in a movie theater.

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What is the single biggest problem with that approach to human space exploration?  You cannot ride that theater seat into space, if a huge rock flying through space suddenly crashes into Earth. Sixty-Five million years ago the Dinosaurs were wiped from the face of the Earth by a rock flying through space and crashing into Earth.

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I do not know about you, My Dear Reader, but I do not want the human race to be the brunt of some intergalactic joke that equates twenty-first century man to the dinosaur. How ironic would it be if mankind suffered the same fate as the dinosaurs? I am not laughing.

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Thanks for dropping by, My Dear Readers. Have a great weekend and Enjoy!

Check back later this weekend for more content… and maybe a surprise!

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The Mars Report – April 26 2013

Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to the very first ‘The Mars Report’ since my return to The Other Shoe. This was always one of my favorite articles to write, and share. Enjoy!

By coincidence, fate, destiny or just sheer luck I have returned to The Other Shoe and ‘The Mars Report’ just in time to share with you some very important news. The curiosity team (The Mars science laboratory project at JPL) has won the National Air and Space Museum lifetime achievement award for the landing of the Curiosity rover.

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        “The team in charge of successfully landing NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity, managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., received the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s highest group honor at a dinner in Washington on Wednesday night, April 24. The 2013 Trophy for Current Achievement honors outstanding achievements in the fields of aerospace science and technology. “

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This is a huge honor for Joseph Sutter and the team at NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory project. Now many of you will have never heard of Joseph Sutter, unless you are an aviation nut there would be no reason to know this man until now. However, while Sutter was working with Boeing, he led the project that (in record time) revolutionized air travel. The project was designing the world’s first wide-body “jumbo jet”, the Boeing 747 ‘Super Jumbo’. The Boeing 747 superliner was the very first aircraft of its type, and changed the airline industry. Mr. Sutter is now known as “The Father of the 747” and now the leader of the team that landed Curiosity safely on Mars.

Below is a short video (animation not real life) of that incredible landing on Mars.

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Since this project lifted off from the launch pad in Florida I was convinced Curiosity would be winner. Now the National Air and Space Museum has validated my feelings. IMHO This is what is missing in modern America, a larger interest in science and space. Most of you, My Dear Readers, grew up around the same time as I. We grew up to; Red Stone, Gemini, and the culmination of a generation’s efforts the Apollo project. Our generation looked at the stars in the sky with hope. Hope for our country beating the U.S.S.R. at putting a man on the moon (they had beat us in the beginning with Sputnik). Some how, now, our nation is satisfied with only venturing into space via IMAX and ‘Real 3D’ while sitting comfortably in a movie theater.

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What is the single biggest problem with that approach to human space exploration?  You cannot ride that theater seat into space, if a huge rock flying through space suddenly crashes into Earth. Sixty-Five million years ago the Dinosaurs were wiped from the face of the Earth by a rock flying through space and crashing into Earth.

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I do not know about you, My Dear Reader, but I do not want the human race to be the brunt of some intergalactic joke that equates twenty-first century man to the dinosaur. How ironic would it be if mankind suffered the same fate as the dinosaurs? I am not laughing.

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Thanks for dropping by, My Dear Readers. Have a great weekend and Enjoy!

Check back later this weekend for more content… and maybe a surprise!

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The Mars Report September 12, 2012

Welcome back my friends to the extraterrestrial show that never ends. Today I am sharing a totally cool video I found over at NASA. First, do you remember the images I showed you, last week, of the ‘Robotic Arm’ on Curiosity? Remember, that after leaving Bradbury Landing Curiosity stopped, in the shadow of Mount Sharp, and did tests on the Robotic Arm? Well, today I am sharing a video simulation of those very robotic arms tests! Enjoy!

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Curiosity Rover Robotic Arm Tests

(Click on The Link To View Video)

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Thank you for your incredible generosity and support.

http://www.indiegogo.com/DannyHanning

The Mars Report – September 9, 2012

The Mars Report

September 7, 2012

Welcome back, my dear readers, to ‘The Mars Report’! Today I have several images for you to view. As well, I have found some schematic drawings of the Curiosity rover. These drawings will give you a much better idea of just what Curiosity can do while on Mars. What science can this rover actually accomplish millions of miles from home? To that end, we come to my first image of the day. This drawing shows the many tools needed, to support the robotic arms, for the scientific experimentation.

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Tools On Curiosity Mars Rover

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Quite logically, the robotic arm is the subject matter for our next image. The mast camera took this shot and it shows us the robotic arm on the Curiosity rover. As you look at the arm, you can clearly see the different tools connected, for collecting the many different types of samples.

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Robotic Arm Image Taken By Mast Camera

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Our next image shows you just where the robotic arm is located, on Curiosity. This is an engineer drawing shows the robotic arm, and the turrets that support the arm.

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Schematic Drawing of Robotic Arms

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Now, let’s move into low orbit. This shot was taken from High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) instrument on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. It shows Curiosity rover and the tire tracks in the Martian soil it has left behind. This is pretty much proof positive that we actually did land Curiosity on Mars. I know it is hard to believe, but I have already encountered some that think we didn’t land.

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HD Overhead Image Showing Curiosity Trail

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For our last, as usual our best shot of the evening. I bring you one totally clear, and incredible, High Definition panorama of Mars. This shot was taken as Curiosity went through the robotic arm checks, which we saw images from above. Now, hopefully the ‘thumbnail’ will show up so everyone can see the little version of this shot. However, if you want the full impact of this shot, click on it. Click on the image below and it will take you to the full HD panoramic image from Mars!

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A High Definition Panoramic Image from Curiosity

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That brings us to the end of our pictorial adventure. As always, I had a great time sharing and showing images to you. I hope that you have enjoyed yourself, too. Be sure to tell friends, and family about this site and my work. The greatest compliment you can pay a writer or artist? Tell other people about them! I hope that you have a great weekend, and that joy and happiness finds you where ever you may be.

Thank you for your kindness and continued support! 

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