Page 71 - (DK) Eyewitness - Mars

WATCHING MARS

The best time to view the Red Planet is at USEFUL WEBSITES
opposition, when Mars and the Earth are nearest.
This happens every two years—2005, 2007, etc.— • Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum:
www.nasm.si.edu
during August or September. A moderately good • NASA’s Mars exploration program:
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov
telescope can see the white polar caps in the • NASA’s archive at the National Space Science Data Center:
north and south. The darker areas of the surface http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/planets/marspage.html
may look greenish. This is caused by the contrast • NASA’s guide to making your own 3-D glasses:
www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/activities/A_Make_3D_
in color between the dark patches and the redder, Glasses.html
brighter areas. The best views of all are every 15 • European Space Association:
www.esa.int
or 17 years, when the closest opposition occurs. • News and information on exploring Mars:
www.exploringmars.com
• Shows how to analyze results from the Mars Exploration
Rovers or design a manned mission to Mars:
www.marsacademy.com
• Current news, articles, and images about Mars exploration:
www.marsnews.com
• Mars Society Organization:
www.marssociety.org
• Malin Space Science Systems:
www.msss.com
• History, mythology, and the science of our Solar System:
www.nineplanets.org
• Planetary Society:
www.planetary.org
• Current news on space missions:
www.rednova.com
• Students for the exploration and development of space:
www.seds.org
• History of space exploration:
www.solarviews.com
• Current news and articles:
THE FAMILY TELESCOPE www.space.com
This mirror-lens telescope with a
computer-controlled, battery-powered
motor drive is a bit complicated for
children to operate by themselves, so MARS THROUGH 3-D GLASSES
an adult is present. Mars is a favorite Scientists at NASA’s Jet Propulsion
observation target for backyard Laboratory in California wear special
astronomers. It is the only planet glasses to view three-dimensional images
where the average astronomer can transmitted to Earth from the Mars
observe the seasons change. Exploration Rover mission. Below is a 3-D
Moderately sized telescopes can see version of the Rover Opportunity’s view of
the polar ice caps grow bigger in winter Eagle Crater. Rover tracks are visible in the
and become smaller in summer. Martian dust at right. This image, taken by
the rover’s navigation camera, overlooks
the lander’s deployed petals.