MSL FAQs and USEFUL DOCUMENTS, But remember to Google first - the info is out there! Options

[Astro0]

HANDY TIPS

Throughout the various MSL threads, there has been a lot of noise generated by questions being asked and answered over and over again.
So we are going to try and compile here a lot of the frequently asked stuff, plus links to the abundant documents and websites that are available.

If you have a specific question or want clarification on something, then we highly recommend following these steps:

1) GOOGLE YOUR QUESTION FIRST!!!!!!
Too often people just don't bother with this easy process.
Try phrasing your question in a few words or just use some key words related to your query.
TIP: Look further than page 1. If you don't get the answer, try some other words.

2) GO TO THE MISSION WEBSITE
If Googling your question didn't already take you there, then just search around the MSL website.
There are plenty of pages with useful details and tons of documents available on both the NASA and JPL versions of the MSL website.
TIP: The NASA and JPL sites have Search capabilities built in.

3) READ BACK THROUGH THE THREAD THAT'S MOST RELEVANT
Members have been talking about MSL's mission for quite a while now and lots of information has been collected.
Read back through the thread in question and you'll most likely find the answer.
TIP: UMSF has a search capability and/or you can always search UMSF using Google.

IF AT THIS POINT YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR ANSWER, THEN POST THE QUESTION TO THE MOST APPROPRIATE THREAD.
Remember though that what UMSF is about is contributing information, rather than supplying it.
We are blessed to have a number of the mission team members as active contributors to the Forum.
While they are often happy to give their input, they are not here to support us, we are here to support them.

IMPORTANT NOTE
The UMSF Administration and Moderation team will be hard at work keeping an eye on all discussions.
If the Forum signal to noise ratio becomes an issue, we will not hesitate to delete posts, close topics or warn members for breaches.

[Astro0]

MSL FAQs AND USEFUL WEBSITES

Q: Where are the best places to find out information about Curiosity's mission?
Mars Science Laboratory websites: JPL website | Mission website | NASA-based website
MSL News and Resources: What's New | Newsroom
Social Media: Twitter | Facebook
Other Sources (pdf): MSL Fact Sheet | Launch Press Kit | Landing Press Kit | Video Archive

Q: Will there be a website where Curiosity's raw images will be available?
There's a page on Curiosity's website set aside for releasing raw images as they become available.

Q: Tell me more about Entry, Descent and Landing?
The Planetary Society Series: How Curiosity Will Land on Mars: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Mars Science Laboratory. Entry, Descent, and Landing System Overview
Mars Science Laboratory Telecommunications System Design

Q: What is Curiosity's mission all about?
MSL Science Corner: Science Goals
Curiosity's Broader Science Goals

Q: Tell me more about Gale Crater?
Gale Crater Geomorphology
Papers on the various proposed landing sites including Gale
Geologic mapping and characterization of Gale Crater

Q: What does Gale Crater look like?
HiRise images of Gale Crater
Digital Terrain Models (including Gale Crater)
More links to HiRise images of Gale Crater

Q: Where will Curiosity land in Gale Crater?
MSL Landing Ellipse

Q: What instruments will Curiosity use to explore?
MSL Science Corner: Instruments

Q: When will we see the first images?
Official word from MSL's chief press officer, Guy Webster, on July 23: "There's a chance of getting a front Hazcam thumbnail or two down in the first few minutes after touchdown. Don't promise it. The most likely time for getting the first image is during a downlink about two and a quarter hours after landing, from Odyssey's next overflight. That downlink may deliver a compressed full-frame rear Hazcam, which would be about eight times better resolution than the thumbnails. If no photos make it down in that pass, the next chance will be mid-day Monday, from Sol-1 morning passes possibly delivering hazcams and some MARDI thumbnails from Sol Zero."

Q: Other than Google, is there a good place to search for information on Curiosity?
A tip from member eoincampbell suggested the searchable JPL archive http://beacon.jpl.nasa.gov/searching-beacon
Using a phrase like 'Curiosity rover' brings up lots of related references, documents etc.

Q: Can you explain why they chose this landing site?
A detailed document has been released on the 'Selection of the Mars Science Laboratory Landing Site'.
It is available here as an 'abstract' but the full copy requires a subscription fee. Worth the read if you're interested!

More to come.