Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 8
NEWS NOTES
MISSIONS
Insight Lander Touches
Down on Mars
AFTER A SEVEN-MONTH JOURNEY
of almost 500 million km (300 million miles) followed by just over eight
minutes of nail-biting anxiousness by
mission controllers, the Mars Insight
lander has become NASA's eighth successful landing on the Red Planet. The
lander touched down on November
26th at 2:52 p.m. EST in the Elysium
Planitia region of Mars, 600 km (370
miles) north of Gale Crater, the stomping grounds of NASA's Curiosity rover.
As NASA's first dedicated geophysical mission to Mars, Insight will spend
the next two years studying the deep
interior of the planet by chronicling
"marsquakes," geologic activity, and
heat flow from the core (S&T: Dec.
2018, p. 34). The lander will attempt to
address specific questions such as: How
similar is the interior of Mars to that
of other rocky planets? How does the
interior of the planet affect what we see
on the surface? What is the structural
thickness of the crust and the size and
density of the core?
Insight carries a host of science
instruments. A seismic experiment will
monitor for planetary rumblings and
meteorite impacts. A heat flow package
- known affectionately as "the mole"
- will drill 5 meters (16 feet) below the
surface as it measures heat dissipation
from the planet's core. Radio signals
will precisely measure the minute
wobble in the rotation of Mars, building
on data provided by previous missions.
The lander also carries a weather
monitoring station, a laser retroreflector that future orbiters can utilize for
measuring movement of the planet's
surface, a suite of cameras, and a
robotic deployment arm. Two small
silicon chips brought the names of more
than 2.4 million people to Mars.
Once Insight finishes scouting the
landing site, researchers will select a
location to deploy the surface experiments. Insight will use its robotic arm
to grab and place the seismic experiment and the mole on the surface. The
mole will then begin hammering away,
digging into the surface of Mars about
1 mm at a time. Insight will use these
taps to map the Martian crust directly
under the lander. The probe will also
stop every 50 cm (20 inches) during
digging to take a measurement of the
heat flowing out of the Martian interior. This will be a slow process, as the
mole will have to pause for about four
days between drilling sessions to allow
heat from its own activity to dissipate.
p The Mars Insight lander acquired this image
of its landing site on November 26th, shortly
after touching down on the surface.
The probe will hammer at the Martian soil an estimated 5,000 to 20,000
times en route to its 5-meter target
depth. The entire digging process is
expected to take anywhere from 30 to
40 days, and the mole must achieve a
depth of at least 3 meters for good science results.
Then, Insight must sit silent to take
delicate seismic measurements. To this
end, the lander isn't even equipped
with a steerable radio dish or anything
that could induce vibrations in the
deployed detector. Instead, Insight has
fi xed, opposing horn antennas for communication.
■ DAVID DICKINSON
N ASA / JPL- CA LTECH (2)
In this artist's illustration,
Mars Insight sits on the
surface of the planet with
all its instruments and solar
panels deployed.
8
M A RCH 2 019 * SK Y & TELESCOPE
Sky & Telescope - March 2019
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Sky & Telescope - March 2019
Contents
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - Cover1
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - Cover2
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 1
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - Contents
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 3
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 4
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 5
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 6
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 7
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 8
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 9
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 10
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 11
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 12
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 13
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 14
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 15
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 16
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 17
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 18
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 19
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 20
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 21
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 22
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 23
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 24
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 25
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 26
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 27
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 28
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 29
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 30
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 31
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 32
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 33
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 34
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 35
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 36
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 37
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 38
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 39
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 40
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 41
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 42
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 43
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 44
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 45
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 46
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 47
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 48
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 49
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 50
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 51
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 52
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 53
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 54
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 55
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 56
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 57
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 58
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 59
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 60
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 61
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 62
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 63
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 64
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 65
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 66
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 67
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 68
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 69
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 70
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 71
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 72
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 73
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 74
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 75
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 76
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 77
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 78
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 79
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 80
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 81
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 82
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 83
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - 84
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - Cover3
Sky & Telescope - March 2019 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202404_qr
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202401_aus
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202312_aus
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202304_qr
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/skywatch_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201706
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201606
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201511
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201507
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201505
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_mars
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aas/st_201001
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com