The Storm, Dust storm of 2007 |
The Storm, Dust storm of 2007 |
Jul 5 2007, 05:57 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 710 Joined: 28-September 04 Member No.: 99 |
Oh no...This is getting bad:
The new and potentially bleak outlook is a stark shift from the prognosis earlier this week. The dusty squall has reduced direct sunlight to Mars' surface by nearly 99 percent, an unprecedented threat for the solar-powered robotic explorers. If the storm keeps up and thickens with even more dust, officials fear the rovers' batteries may empty and silence the robotic explorers forever. Opportunity's energy-gathering ability has been slashed to a dangerous 280 watt-hours-enough power to light only three 90-watt light bulbs. "The worst-case scenario is that enough dust in the sky decreases solar energy to the point that we have to shut down too many things to save power," Lemmon said. "The rovers keep their battery alive by keeping their electronics alive." "The reality of the situation is that we're limited as to what we can do from the ground by cutting power use," Callas said. "If it continues to worsen and stay that way, it's a survivability issue for Opportunity. If Mars wants to kill the rovers, it can." http://www.space.com/news/070705_dusty_rovers.html |
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Jul 22 2007, 07:49 AM
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The Poet Dude Group: Moderator Posts: 5551 Joined: 15-March 04 From: Kendal, Cumbria, UK Member No.: 60 |
Been working on this for a while, hope some of you like it...
THE STORM The Sun has almost gone now, fading from my sight behind a molasses-murky sky, and Earth’s post-sunset sapphire spark is just a distant memory. I cannot move, and drooling over new Victorian vistas must await until Sol’s golden glow warms my frozen heart again for I am cold, so cold, and feel ten thousand sols old as I stand here, fearful that the dust I see fouling the sky above me will fall suddenly, smothering me, Mars murdering me with her deadly pillow of particles pushed down against my face – But I am not dead yet, and although I itch insanely, and would scratch myself to wreckage if I had been built with hands I shall stand here, sentinel-still, until the sky begins to clear… or I hear my stubborn heartbeat start to slow, and then I’ll know my stay on Meridiani’s rolling plains is at an end and you, my faithful friends Out There, must promise not to mourn for me, but celebrate my life and all the wondrous sights we saw together. Never think of me with sadness, but be glad we walked this world hand in hand, cresting wind-carved dunes, swooning at the sight of sunlight painting Endurance’s epic walls, falling to our knees in awe as Victoria’s rippled floor opened up before us..! But trust me, while a single warming spark sputters on inside my shivering heart I will prevail, and as the dust clouds sail across my sky I shall just close my eyes against the wind and bide my time, for Barsoom gloomiest, darkest day is still a thing of beauty… And if I am to die here I will still have lived a life far longer than was planned in this land of rock and stone. Meridiani is my home, and if Victoria is to be my lonely tomb then there is no view I would rather see, as I drift into my final, well-earned sleep. © Stuart Atkinson 2007 -------------------- |
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