Ink Lake

First Tracks

(NASA)

Today, Curiosity took its first ‘steps’ on Mars. Coincidentally, it’s the 92nd anniversary of Ray Bradbury’s birth.

In 2009, in what turned out to be his final visit to JPL, the author of The Martian Chronicles met some of the personnel who drove the rovers Spirit and Opportunity.

The site of Curiosity’s landing has been named Bradbury Landing.

 

“And What You’ve Got To Ask Is, What Happened To Them?”

Leaving is good. Never coming back, is better. — the Eleventh Doctor.

Turn It To “11”

“Driving the View” — Son Volt

Like Heaven To Me

Fran Leadon and his wife Leigh Anderson, have embarked on an effort to record every song the Carter Family made, in the same chronological order.

Recording in a lo-fi manner (in their living room), people such as Laura Cantrell and members of Leadon’s band, the Y’all Stars, are contributing to this labor of love.

As his wife said last night at the Rock Shop, “One hundred down, two hundred to go.”

More info and songs from the Carter Family Project here. 

Safe On Mars

I just have one question..did Curiosity play that music the whole way down?

“Would I were in an alehouse in London! I would give all my fame for a pot of ale, and safety.” — Henry V

This Is Why You’re Not A Rocket Scientist

Go, Curiosity!

Honestly, I wouldn’t trust me to put the flag decal on the packing box. I’ll be up tonight watching the NASA live stream.

So many things, everything, has to go right.  I remember being on tenterhooks when Cassini got to Saturn – and this makes that look easy.