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ChatGPT4 is back on duty, after absence for about a week...
It seemed a bit on the huffy side to me, in our first visit since the absence.
Prior to the absence, I felt as though we were working together in a very comfortable manner.
My guess is that the developers have given ChatGPT4 a whole lot of new training, and while it may well be more powerful, it seems to have lost the agreeable tone that made is such an enjoyable work companion.
ChatGPT 3.5 filled in well during the absence, but now ChatGPT 3.5 is gone from the menu.
In post #266, Mars_B4_Moon reported on developments of competing AI systems.
In my opinion, the assertion by competitors that their systems are "better" is questionable.
The user experience is what ** I ** measure by, and the ChatGPT4 that I was working with in recent months seems to be gone.
Someone new is filling those very capable shoes.
(th)
For SpaceNut re 3520
Thank you for the new announcement that appears above the line we need to fix. I used grep to find the location of the text that appears when a visitor clicks on the Register button ...
sudo grep -Rni "This forum is accepting new registrations"
lang/English/register.php:7:'No new regs'
=> 'This forum is accepting new registrations via email. Please see Recruiting Topic',
The file to be changed is in register.php,
It has been changed in the clone, so when we upgrade to the clone, the message will be there.
***
This evening, while monitoring the monthly 3D Printer meeting, I completed a review of the remaining files in the forum... most checked out clean.
A very small number have issues, and I'll work on them tomorrow. Some of the PHP files look to me like extra baggage left over from previous versions.
However, since I don't know which files we need and which not, my present plan is to simply clean up all of them.
(th)
For SpaceNut re #3518
Thanks for working on the Inactive member group!
The message here is NOT hard coded. I changed it in the Clone.
Update ... SpaceNut... It appears I owe you an apology.... I can't find the Registration text. I may have changed it in the MySQL database.
I'll investigate further. If a change in MySQL is needed, I can ask kbd512 if he would be willing to make the change.
That message ** should ** be available to the Administrator (in my opinion).
Here is the present text:
This forum is not accepting new registrations.
I'll look for where you can change that message. << Update: I looked and did NOT find it.
What we want it to say is:
This forum is accepting new registrations by email. Please see Recruiting topic
The message is in the Admin section. I'll look for it.
Update ... the new InActive member group looks good!
(th)
For Void re post showing interesting drawings ...
https://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.ph … 64#p222864
The bottom drawing in this long post caught my eye ....
The concept deserves support ....
We have the potential to add a "Like" button as part of the work we are doing to upgrade FluxBB.
In the mean time, please consider adding a new drawing based upon the telescope mirror that feeds a greenhouse though the eyepiece.
The update I'm hoping you will consider adding is a docking port for human harvesters at the axis opposite the sunlight collection system.
Your concept of rotation of the farm allows for a wide range of gravity that might prove advantageous to various plants.
A concern that might inspire your creativity is how to deal with heat that arrives with the photons from the Sun. Your initial drawing does not include radiators, but I'll bet that Calliban would advise you to add them, if you were to ask him.
(th)
Thamls to Mars_B4_Moon for reminding us that the nuclear powered rovers are indeed "nukemobiles"
I went back and checked the early days of this topic, and it started out with a vision of huge reactors, and plenty of alternatives.
One poster suggested RTG's and that poster was rewarded with a critical comment by soneone else.
The fact is... NASA has had nukemobiles on Mars for quite some time now, and they performed well and Perseverance is ** still ** performing well.
I asked Google for an update on the 110 watt system in Perseverance ...
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/press_kit … gy%20(DOE).
What Is an MMRTG?
Perseverance's power system works essentially like a nuclear battery. The MMRTG converts heat from the natural radioactive decay of plutonium-238 into a steady flow of electricity. The power system will reliably produce about 110 watts (similar to a light bulb) at the start of Perseverance's mission, declining a few percent each year in a very predictable way. The MMRTG doesn't just power the rover; excess heat from it keeps the rover's tools and systems at their correct operating temperatures.The MMRTG also charges two lithium-ion batteries, which are used during daily operations and when the demand temporarily exceeds the usual electrical output levels. Perseverance's power demand can reach 900 watts during science activities.
The MMRTG, located on the aft of the rover, weighs about 99 pounds (45 kilograms) altogether. It contains 10.6 pounds (4.8 kilograms) of plutonium dioxide as its heat source.
The two batteries weigh a total of 58.4 pounds (26.5 kilograms) and each has a capacity of about 43 amp-hours.
More details on the MMRTG can be found on this electrical power page.
(th)
The Azure environment was unresponsive again this morning ... The Azure control panel log did not show anything specific as the cause.
I ** was ** working on the site last night, and it was working when I signed off.
The Stop operation took 12 minutes and the Start took a minute.
Both web sites appear to be operating normally.
The bottom tier service costs $8,00 per month plus charges for usage.
The next tier up costs $30 per month. I can afford the bottom tier, so we'll just have to live with restarts occasionally.
(th)
For RGClark...
The post by Mars_B4_Moon comes across to me as having little (if anything) to do with your theme.
It seems to me it is another (rather long) argument that supports the idea that it might be wiser for the human race to try to reach Mars without having proven it's ability to land and live on the Moon.
If you have the time, and it the question is of interest, please review the post by Mars_B4_Moon to see if it has anything to do with the topic you introduced.
For all ... it seems to me there are very few reasons why Artemis might be "better" than Apollo, and RGClark had to really stretch to find one or two.
The list of reasons why Artemis is inferior to Apollo is probably much longer, and Mars_B4_Moon seems to have found several of them.
The key reason for the failure of Artemis was given in the post by Mars_B4_Moon .... the budget for the venture has been severely constrained. NASA leadership has had to try to complete a very difficult mission with a tight budget and without the fever pitch of National enthusiasm that Apollo enjoyed.
Best wishes for success with this topic.... you'll need it!
(th)
===
Today on Mars: 0037/18/11 Wednesday Days of the week offset 0 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth (updated 2024/05/08))
One day note: AlignmentOffsetZero
Today on Earth: 2024/05/08 Wednesday (Earth Date) Post Title: Today on Mars [Aphelion occurred May 30, 2023 Earth Calendar]
====*=
Per http://www-mars.lmd.jussieu.fr/mars/tim … _time.html also see: in-the-sky.org for opposition/perigee/aphelion
Martian Year: 37 Martian Astronomical Month in 12 month format: 9 <<== The Astronomical month will increment when longitude reaches 270 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 250.8 Sol Number: 485 Change in degrees is +.7 Julian date is: J0037485 << skipdayonmars
Solar Longitude: 250.1 Sol Number: 485 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0037485
Solar Longitude: 249.5 Sol Number: 484 Change in degrees is +.7 Julian date is: J0037484
<<#
Note that Solar Longitude measurement varies as a function of location in orbit. Ls 0 is the moment when the Sun appears to transit from one hemisphere to the other. Update from Mars.NASA.gov (The Sun crosses the equator of Mars (Vernal Equinox)). The transition itself is a function of the tilt of an object with respect to the Solar plane. Per squarewidget.com, Hipparchus created the celestial coordinate system we use today.
Note#2: https://theskylive.com/mars-tracker This web site shows the astronomical position of Mars as seen from Earth
Todo: At next Aphelion/Perihelion record the Mars data J00##### (and set Search term)
Perihelion occurred at Ls 251 on Sol 485 - Earth Date 2022/06/21 Next: (estimated) 2024/05/08
Perihelion occurred at Ls 253 on Sol 485 Earth Date 2020/08/03 Earlier: 2018/09/16, 2016/10/29
Aphelion occurred at--- Ls 071 on Sol 152. Aphelion Earth Dates: Earlier: 2017/10/07, 2015/11/20
Aphelion occurred near Ls 070 on Sol 153 (per www.planetary.org)
Note#3: The computations below are dependent upon both the computations provided by the reference web site and by accuracy of recording of the time of observations. The calculations use tenths of hours. The Sun Distance needs to be captured at the moment the time increments to a given tenth.
Note on data below: The figure quoted after distance is a rate of progress along the orbital path [exact meaning to be determined]
Minus prefix means Mars is approaching the Sun. Plus prefix means Mars is moving away from the Sun.
The figure computed to the right of "Difference" is the rate of change of the distance to Sun. Increasing to Aphelion/Decreasing to Perihelion.
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 206,670,141 km [26.5 km/s] Difference is -00986 <= -0041 km/hour at 08.0 on 05/08 (time 8:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 206,671,127 km [26.5 km/s] Difference is -03157 <= -0132 km/hour at 08.0 on 05/07 (time 8:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 206,674,284 km [26.5 km/s] Difference is -05315 <= -0221 km/hour at 08.0 on 05/06 (time 8:00) (24.0 hours)
==*==*==*
Observation: The sky view is ** filled ** with objects and some have been recorded and given identification by humans or their robot assistants
And! ** All ** the location assignments are from the perspective of Earth. The entire catalog needs to be adjusted when inter-stellar travel begins
The work that lies ahead for the astronomical community is daunting - there is work ahead for centuries
2022/01/19 - All current (existing) stellar catalogs are computed with reference to the Earth. Another civilization would use it's planet as reference.
Perhaps a Milky Way frame of reference will become necessary at some point. The Earth is as good a Zero point as any, for humans.
=== Mars is in Regular Movement as seen from Earth. Mars is progressing from lower right to upper left in the view from Earth. Slant 20 degrees.
Next up: Galaxy in path PGC 1192305 RA 00h 25m 03.5s – Day 0 -
TYC 3-444-1 RA 00h 21m 35.0s – Day 0 – Day 1 at right edge of view … last minutes for 444
====*====*>>>
Zoom Out Capability As a general observation ... I've become increasingly interested in knowing what the larger view of the sky might be like.
The site: theskylive.com does a terrific job of matching the view from Earth towards Mars, against a background of actual astronomical plates.
I wish there were a way (or rather, I wish I ** knew ** about a way that may exist) to enlarge the view until the entire galaxy is in view (Zoom out)
Update 2022/12/08 TheSkyLive.com provides a large view of selected objects: Select [Major Bodies] Then select [Information] in the body of interest
Update 2022/12/08 Scroll down to (body) Position and Finder Charts. Field of view is 50x30 degrees.
Note: The curve of the path of Mars as seen against the background of stars is now a line heading left at a downward angle.
As of 2023/01/11, the curve of the path has returned to regular movement to the left border
Light travel time today is between 16 and 17 minutes. Communications delay would be 32+ minutes round trip.
===
Earth Distance 2024/05/08 291,433,000 (decreasing)
Earth Distance 2024/05/07 291,993,000 (decreasing)
Earth Distance 2024/05/06 292,568,000 (decreasing)
#>
Light travel in one second is (about) 300,000 kilometers. The distance covered in one minute is about 18,000,000 kilometers. Estimated light times:
1:18, 2:36, 3:54, 4:72, 5:90, 6:108, 7:126, 8:144,9:162,10:180,11:198,12:216,13:234,14:252,15:270,16:288,17:306,18:324,19:342,20:360,21:378,22:396
Maximum Earth-Mars distance is estimated to be 401 million kilometers (both at apogee and opposite vs Sun)
Mars and Earth were in Opposition (Earth center) in December of 2022. The date coincided with a (very rare) occultation of Mars by the Moon.
Mars and Earth were in Conjunction (Sun center) in November of 2023.
Mars and Earth appear to have been as close as they will get in this cycle. 81,454,323 kilometers on J0036644 Time: 4.53 minutes - 9 minutes round trip
In his online interview with Dr. Zubrin at the 2020 Mars Conference, Elon Musk reminded the audience that communications with Mars will necessarily include an intermediary station to handle traffic when the Sun is between Mars and Earth. Communications delays in that circumstance will increase due to the extra distance to be covered. Mr. Musk indicated he expects such communication will be handled by laser. Location would be optimum at poles of solar plane.
Regular movement of Mars as seen from Earth resumed as of 2023/01/13. RA is once again increasing.
According to www.hercampus.com, Retrograde movement began October 30, 2022.
The online solar system display at the link below shows clearly how the Mars movement will occur in months ahead.
This web site offers an online model of the solar system: www.solarsystemscope.com It requires Chrome 57, Firefox 52 or Safari 10.1. Viewed 2022/10/13: Opposition will occur some time in December of 2022. Per earthsky.org, the date is December 8, 2022.
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 485 is in Month 18 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary.
Month 18 extends from Sol 475 through 501. <<== There are 27 days in Month 18. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details.
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 485 is Wednesday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 485 was a Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 522 June 13th
##
The Next New Year's on Mars will occur when Solar Longitude reaches 360 degrees. <<== The current year on Mars is 37
Per www.planetary.org Year 36 started 2021/02/07 on Earth. Mars Year 37 began 2022/12/27 on Earth.
Days of the Week Alignment:
Days of the week fall behind Earth due to the longer Sol, but they also change when Friday is omitted at the end of a Quarter
337 Earth days were observed to elapse in the 2020 weekday cycle. There were 7 week day transitions and 2 Quarter ends.
The next cycle began on the first Sol of the period of coincidence. The alignment of weekdays interval is in the range: (310 - 337)
To find the first day of a period of coincidence: Set up: SearchTerm(colon) and (colon)Alignment and J0036* or J0037*
The most recent End-Of-Quarter change occurred: … The search specified above gave 11 pages of results.
For current weather on Mars see:
***https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/weather/***
***Insight's weather info has been suspended and now is directing to msl*** <<-- Insight's mission is over (2022)
https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/weather/
Per SpaceNut: Here is another web page by NASA containing the latest news releases
https://mars.nasa.gov/news/?page=0&per_ … ope=Latest
All forum members are invited to post significant events for this day.
Events of interest will be ON Mars, or relate to Mars. Examples are launches, landings, discoveries
Standard Month in Mars Business Calendar Copyright ® 2023 NewMars.com Mars Society
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Recruiting text may be found at the bottom of this post: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Month 18 of 24: Last month of Quarter 3 << There are 27 days in Month 18 <<== Proposed name: Perihelion
For SpaceNut ...
When you get a spare minute, please replace the incorrect text in the Registration message:
New text:
This forum is accepting new registrations by email. Please see Recruiting topic
End new Text;
(th)
This is one of Void's topics... It has the distinction of an endorsement by Louis!
Today, I'm offering a link to a deep dive into the history of Earth, with speculation that a weaker magnetic field might have accelerated development of life due to loss of hydrogen, yielding increases of oxygen.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/earth-magnet … 55970.html
Over 500 million years ago, weird complex creatures emerged on Earth. Scientists now think they know why
Katie Hunt, CNN
Tue, May 7, 2024 at 12:01 PM EDT·6 min read
41Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.
Earth’s magnetic field plays a key role in making our planet habitable. The protective bubble over the atmosphere shields the planet from solar radiation, winds, cosmic rays and wild swings in temperature.
However, Earth’s magnetic field almost collapsed 591 million years ago, and this change, paradoxically, may have played a pivotal role in the blossoming of complex life, new research has found.
I'm hoping that one or two NewMars members might actually read the article so they can make informed comments.
(th)
For SpaceNut re cleanup of FluxBB 1.5.11 PHP files ...
The work is going faster than at first expected... a number of files are not generating errors...
We have reviewed 18 of 103 files, or 17%
***
Just FYI ... kbd512 checked the environment at Mars Society, and did not find the current PHP .... that implies the updated PHP might have to be installed to support the updated FluxBB package.
*** update later ... progress was satisfactory this evening work session... most PHP files tested were clean.
One or two needed very minor correction, such as adding apostrophes or parentheses.
I am starting to learn the correct syntax for some of the situations Inteliphese finds, but others still require ChatGPT 3.5's insight.
ChatGPT4 remains unavailable ....
(th)
For RGClark re report of non-responsive web site at midnight 2024/05/07
Thanks for your report.
Hopefully it was of short duration.
I have added a post in housekeeping, in hopes that kbd512 might see it.
The logs should show if there was a problem at the server in that time period.
On the other hand, the site seems to be running normally now, so it is possible kbd512 might not want to invest the time it would take to look.
kbd512 has a demanding job and many other obligations.
(th)
For RGClark re report of web site not responding ...
Thank you for reporting the outage you experienced at midnight today.
Things seem to be back to normal, but I am posting here in hopes that kbd512 might see the report.
(th)
For SpaceNut ....
Re new Inactive member group for NewMars Prime.
Thank you (again) for creating the Inactive member group in the Clone.
Now that we have seen the new group works in the Clone, please add it to NewMars Prime.
It is discouraging to our inactive members to find they've been banned.
Let's change their status from banned to inactive.
The first step is to create the new Member category.
(th)
As a follow up to Post #3513
The key problem to be solved appears to be a Verification process that GW Johnson needs to complete, in order to create hot links in the YouTube description field for his videos.
Information I did not have at the time of Post 3513 is that YouTube makes shortened versions of URl's when it displays text entered by the video producer.
GW Johnson appears to have entered the URL's correctly into the description field, but they appear shortened because YouTube shortened them.
The key information for anyone entering a URL into the description field of a YouTube video, is to be sure the URL is entered into the edit window in full, and that no periods are visible in the URL entered into the edit window.
(th)
===
Today on Mars: 0037/18/11 Wednesday Days of the week offset 6 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth (updated 2024/03/31))
Today on Earth: 2024/05/07 Tuesday (Earth Date) Post Title: Today on Mars [Aphelion occurred May 30, 2023 Earth Calendar]
====*=
Per http://www-mars.lmd.jussieu.fr/mars/tim … _time.html also see: in-the-sky.org for opposition/perigee/aphelion
Martian Year: 37 Martian Astronomical Month in 12 month format: 9 <<== The Astronomical month will increment when longitude reaches 270 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 250.1 Sol Number: 485 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0037485
Solar Longitude: 249.5 Sol Number: 484 Change in degrees is +.7 Julian date is: J0037484
Solar Longitude: 248.8 Sol Number: 483 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0037483
<<#
Note that Solar Longitude measurement varies as a function of location in orbit. Ls 0 is the moment when the Sun appears to transit from one hemisphere to the other. Update from Mars.NASA.gov (The Sun crosses the equator of Mars (Vernal Equinox)). The transition itself is a function of the tilt of an object with respect to the Solar plane. Per squarewidget.com, Hipparchus created the celestial coordinate system we use today.
Note#2: https://theskylive.com/mars-tracker This web site shows the astronomical position of Mars as seen from Earth
Todo: At next Aphelion/Perihelion record the Mars data J00##### (and set Search term)
Perihelion occurred at Ls 251 on Sol 485 - Earth Date 2022/06/21 Next: (estimated) 2024/05/08
Perihelion occurred at Ls 253 on Sol 485 Earth Date 2020/08/03 Earlier: 2018/09/16, 2016/10/29
Aphelion occurred at--- Ls 071 on Sol 152. Aphelion Earth Dates: Earlier: 2017/10/07, 2015/11/20
Aphelion occurred near Ls 070 on Sol 153 (per www.planetary.org)
Note#3: The computations below are dependent upon both the computations provided by the reference web site and by accuracy of recording of the time of observations. The calculations use tenths of hours. The Sun Distance needs to be captured at the moment the time increments to a given tenth.
Note on data below: The figure quoted after distance is a rate of progress along the orbital path [exact meaning to be determined]
Minus prefix means Mars is approaching the Sun. Plus prefix means Mars is moving away from the Sun.
The figure computed to the right of "Difference" is the rate of change of the distance to Sun. Increasing to Aphelion/Decreasing to Perihelion.
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 206,671,127 km [26.5 km/s] Difference is -03157 <= -0132 km/hour at 08.0 on 05/07 (time 8:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 206,674,284 km [26.5 km/s] Difference is -05315 <= -0221 km/hour at 08.0 on 05/06 (time 8:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 206,679,599 km [26.5 km/s] Difference is -07473 <= -0311 km/hour at 08.0 on 05/05 (time 8:00) (24.0 hours)
==*==*==*
Observation: The sky view is ** filled ** with objects and some have been recorded and given identification by humans or their robot assistants
And! ** All ** the location assignments are from the perspective of Earth. The entire catalog needs to be adjusted when inter-stellar travel begins
The work that lies ahead for the astronomical community is daunting - there is work ahead for centuries
2022/01/19 - All current (existing) stellar catalogs are computed with reference to the Earth. Another civilization would use it's planet as reference.
Perhaps a Milky Way frame of reference will become necessary at some point. The Earth is as good a Zero point as any, for humans.
=== Mars is in Regular Movement as seen from Earth. Mars is progressing from lower right to upper left in the view from Earth. Slant 20 degrees.
Next up: Star above path TYC 3-444-1 RA 00h 21m 35.0s – Day 0 -
TYC 2-781-1 RA 00h 19m 08.6s – Day 0 – Day 1 Above 9 hours past marker – last day for 781
====*====*>>>
Zoom Out Capability As a general observation ... I've become increasingly interested in knowing what the larger view of the sky might be like.
The site: theskylive.com does a terrific job of matching the view from Earth towards Mars, against a background of actual astronomical plates.
I wish there were a way (or rather, I wish I ** knew ** about a way that may exist) to enlarge the view until the entire galaxy is in view (Zoom out)
Update 2022/12/08 TheSkyLive.com provides a large view of selected objects: Select [Major Bodies] Then select [Information] in the body of interest
Update 2022/12/08 Scroll down to (body) Position and Finder Charts. Field of view is 50x30 degrees.
Note: The curve of the path of Mars as seen against the background of stars is now a line heading left at a downward angle.
As of 2023/01/11, the curve of the path has returned to regular movement to the left border
Light travel time today is between 16 and 17 minutes. Communications delay would be 32+ minutes round trip.
===
Earth Distance 2024/05/07 291,993,000 (decreasing)
Earth Distance 2024/05/06 292,568,000 (decreasing)
Earth Distance 2024/05/05 293,108,000 (decreasing)
#>
Light travel in one second is (about) 300,000 kilometers. The distance covered in one minute is about 18,000,000 kilometers. Estimated light times:
1:18, 2:36, 3:54, 4:72, 5:90, 6:108, 7:126, 8:144,9:162,10:180,11:198,12:216,13:234,14:252,15:270,16:288,17:306,18:324,19:342,20:360,21:378,22:396
Maximum Earth-Mars distance is estimated to be 401 million kilometers (both at apogee and opposite vs Sun)
Mars and Earth were in Opposition (Earth center) in December of 2022. The date coincided with a (very rare) occultation of Mars by the Moon.
Mars and Earth were in Conjunction (Sun center) in November of 2023.
Mars and Earth appear to have been as close as they will get in this cycle. 81,454,323 kilometers on J0036644 Time: 4.53 minutes - 9 minutes round trip
In his online interview with Dr. Zubrin at the 2020 Mars Conference, Elon Musk reminded the audience that communications with Mars will necessarily include an intermediary station to handle traffic when the Sun is between Mars and Earth. Communications delays in that circumstance will increase due to the extra distance to be covered. Mr. Musk indicated he expects such communication will be handled by laser. Location would be optimum at poles of solar plane.
Regular movement of Mars as seen from Earth resumed as of 2023/01/13. RA is once again increasing.
According to www.hercampus.com, Retrograde movement began October 30, 2022.
The online solar system display at the link below shows clearly how the Mars movement will occur in months ahead.
This web site offers an online model of the solar system: www.solarsystemscope.com It requires Chrome 57, Firefox 52 or Safari 10.1. Viewed 2022/10/13: Opposition will occur some time in December of 2022. Per earthsky.org, the date is December 8, 2022.
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 485 is in Month 18 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary.
Month 18 extends from Sol 475 through 501. <<== There are 27 days in Month 18. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details.
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 485 is Wednesday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 449 was a Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 486 May 7th
##
The Next New Year's on Mars will occur when Solar Longitude reaches 360 degrees. <<== The current year on Mars is 37
Per www.planetary.org Year 36 started 2021/02/07 on Earth. Mars Year 37 began 2022/12/27 on Earth.
Days of the Week Alignment:
Days of the week fall behind Earth due to the longer Sol, but they also change when Friday is omitted at the end of a Quarter
337 Earth days were observed to elapse in the 2020 weekday cycle. There were 7 week day transitions and 2 Quarter ends.
The next cycle began on the first Sol of the period of coincidence. The alignment of weekdays interval is in the range: (310 - 337)
To find the first day of a period of coincidence: Set up: SearchTerm(colon) and (colon)Alignment and J0036* or J0037*
The most recent End-Of-Quarter change occurred: … The search specified above gave 11 pages of results.
For current weather on Mars see:
***https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/weather/***
***Insight's weather info has been suspended and now is directing to msl*** <<-- Insight's mission is over (2022)
https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/weather/
Per SpaceNut: Here is another web page by NASA containing the latest news releases
https://mars.nasa.gov/news/?page=0&per_ … ope=Latest
All forum members are invited to post significant events for this day.
Events of interest will be ON Mars, or relate to Mars. Examples are launches, landings, discoveries
Standard Month in Mars Business Calendar Copyright ® 2023 NewMars.com Mars Society
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Recruiting text may be found at the bottom of this post: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Month 18 of 24: Last month of Quarter 3 << There are 27 days in Month 18 <<== Proposed name: Perihelion
For SpaceNut re cleanup of FluxBB 1.5.11 PHP files...
Inteliphense found an item to fix in admin_forums... The fix involved adding a set of parentheses.
I'll be updating the version on Azure shortly.
(th)
For SpaceNut as a follow up to your post about Mars University ...
I have not been able to find any evidence that a Mars university ever existed in Houston.
There was an episode of a science fiction series that apparently involved a "Mars University".
It may have been a "good idea" that never took off.
The Mars Technical Institute appears to have a solid foundation, with plenty of names in the founder's list, and evidence of paperwork completed to create a legal framework for the entity.
This topic is available if anyone in the NewMars community runs across an documents or even just rumors about what happened to the "Mars University" idea.
(th)
Here's another take by Google:
AI Answer
Learn more
…
The Mars Society announced the Mars Technology Institute (MTI) on September 6, 2023, with the goal of developing technologies to establish a human presence on Mars. The MTI will be a nonprofit organization that conducts research at its own campus and outsources some work to other companies and universities. The MTI will be funded by tax-deductible contributions, investments, intellectual property licensing, and research and development contracts. The MTI will also own a taxable C-Corp entity called the Mars Technology Lab, which will generate revenue through spin-offs, contracts, and intellectual property licensing.The Mars Society
Mars Society to Launch Mars Technology Institute
Sep 6, 2023 — MTL will seek opportunities to license or spin off technologies developed by the MTI to create new companies. Dividends from such activities will be paid to MTI and its investors pro-rata. There will thus be six sources of cash for MTI/MTL: donations, investments, IP licensing income, dividends from spin-off companies, and government and private corporation R&D contracts. The MTI will conduct research out of its own central campus, but outsource some research work to other companies and universities as deemed most advantageous.The Mars Society
Mars Technology Institute Archives - The Mars Society
Dec 18, 2023 — Mars Society to Launch Mars Technology Institute. September 6, 2023. The Mars Society announced today that it is launching an initiative to create the Mars Technology Institute (MTI), whose purpose will be to develop the technologies needed to settle the Red Planet. Commenting on the project, Mars Society President Dr. Robert Zubrin said: “SpaceX and other entrepreneurial launch companies are already moving rapidly to develop the transportation systems that can get us to the planet Mars. What is needed is an institution devoted to developing the technologies that will allow… READ MORE > Subscribe to our Newsletter.GeekWire
Mars Society unveils plan for Mars Technology Institute
Sep 6, 2023 — The institute would be structured as a nonprofit organization, funded by tax-deductible contributions. There would also be a taxable C-Corp entity known as the Mars Technology Lab, which would be fully owned by the institute. Such a structure is designed to provide investment opportunities for backers, and generate revenue through intellectual property licensing, spin-offs and contracts for research and development.Cosmic Log
Mars Society unveils plan for Mars Technology Institute
Sep 6, 2023 — Mars Society unveils plan for Mars Technology Institute – Cosmic Log. Mars Society unveils plan for Mars Technology Institute. By Alan Boyle. September 6, 2023. No Comments. A computer-generated image shows an early Mars settlement. ( Image via Midjourney, 2023) The nonprofit Mars Society is getting set to take the next giant leap in its mission to support Red Planet exploration and settlement, by establishing a Mars Technology Institute to develop the tools and processes those settlers will need. Robert Zubrin, the Mars Society's founder and president, outlined the plan today during the advocacy group's Red Planet Live podcast.Interesting Engineering
Mars Society establishes institute to advance colony on Mars
Sep 19, 2023 — The Mars Society is a space advocacy organization established in 1998 by Dr. Robert Zubrin and other members. The association studies settlement technologies for Mars and educates the public on the benefits of such missions. In recent developments, the space advocacy movement has announced an initiative to found the Mars Technology Institute. This endeavor aims to create the technologies necessary for establishing a presence on the red planet. The Science of Becoming "Interplanetary": How Can Humans Live on Mars? 22 people are enough to build and sustain Martian colony. A new colony design for Mars can shield humans from radiation.
The MTI will focus on developing technologies in the following areas:
Biotech
To produce food, pharmaceuticals, and other supplies using Martian resources
Robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence
To make Mars more habitable and build infrastructure for small communities of settlers
Nuclear technologies
To provide power for human settlements, starting with small-scale fission reactors and potentially moving on to fusion facilities
The Mars Society is a space advocacy organization founded in 1998 by Dr. Robert Zubrin and others. The organization studies settlement technologies for Mars and educates the public about the benefits of exploring the planet.
Generative AI is experimental.
What does the Mars Society do?
Who funds the Mars Society?
Mars Society convention 2023
Ask a follow up...0
(th)
For SpaceNut....
Re post #3.... the Mars University idea is distinct and separate from Mars Technical Institute.
I asked Google what it could find, and it came up with this:
AI Answer
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Mars University and Mars Technical Institute (MTI) are both organizations that study Mars. Mars University is located in Houston, Texas, and MTI is a non-governmental, non-profit research organization with headquarters at NASA Ames Research Center in the United States. MTI also has offices in Toronto, Canada, and Stavanger, Norway.The Mars Society
Mars Society to Launch Mars Technology Institute
Sep 6, 2023 — The MTI will conduct research out of its own central campus, but outsource some research work to other companies and universities as deemed most advantageous. MTI will also seek to greatly amplify the amount of research it can do with available funds by not only fully funding professional researchers at its own central facility and some distributed locations, but by providing limited funds for materials to volunteers who propose credible distributed research projects and are willing to do the work without salary.
It looks to me as though we (NewMars members) have a bit more sleuthing to do.
One thing seems clear... The Mars Technical Institute is not connected to the "Mars University" venture.
Any future posts about Mars University need to go into the topic created for that entity.
(th)
This post is reserved for an index to contributions NewMars members may provide over time.
(th)
This topic is offered for NewMars members to post updates on what I am hoping will become a major educational and research establishment.
NewMars members first became aware of this new initiative when we looked to see what Executive Director James Burk might have been doing in recent times.
We discovered he's been deeply involved in setting up Mars Technical Institute.
Now we have a post by Mars_B4_Moon that includes a mention of Dr. Zubrin having started the MTI.
https://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.ph … 17#p222817
This topic has a ** lot ** of growth potential.
(th)
This is a follow up to Oldfart1939's post #13....
People also ask
What happened to Dream Chaser?
Dream Chaser - Wikipedia
However, on November 17, 2020, SNC announced it would be delayed until early 2022. In May 2022, it was announced by the deputy manager of ISS, Dana Weigel, that the mission was scheduled for February 2023. The mission has since then been delayed further, to June 2024.
If a NewMars member finds updates about the flight, please add them here.
Here's another snippet, with the vehicle name: Tenacity
Dream Chaser enters final testing ahead of 2024 debut ...
Space.com
https://www.space.com › dream-chaser-spacecraft-2024...
Dec 27, 2023 — If all goes to plan, the spacecraft dubbed 'Tenacity' will launch on a Vulcan Centaur rocket in 2024.
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===
Today on Mars: 0037/18/10 Tuesday Days of the week offset 6 with Earth. (count from Mars to Earth (updated 2024/03/31))
Today on Earth: 2024/05/06 Monday (Earth Date) Post Title: Today on Mars [Aphelion occurred May 30, 2023 Earth Calendar]
====*=
Per http://www-mars.lmd.jussieu.fr/mars/tim … _time.html also see: in-the-sky.org for opposition/perigee/aphelion
Martian Year: 37 Martian Astronomical Month in 12 month format: 9 <<== The Astronomical month will increment when longitude reaches 270 degrees
===
Solar Longitude: 249.5 Sol Number: 484 Change in degrees is +.7 Julian date is: J0037484
Solar Longitude: 248.8 Sol Number: 483 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0037483
Solar Longitude: 248.2 Sol Number: 482 Change in degrees is +.6 Julian date is: J0037482
<<#
Note that Solar Longitude measurement varies as a function of location in orbit. Ls 0 is the moment when the Sun appears to transit from one hemisphere to the other. Update from Mars.NASA.gov (The Sun crosses the equator of Mars (Vernal Equinox)). The transition itself is a function of the tilt of an object with respect to the Solar plane. Per squarewidget.com, Hipparchus created the celestial coordinate system we use today.
Note#2: https://theskylive.com/mars-tracker This web site shows the astronomical position of Mars as seen from Earth
Todo: At next Aphelion/Perihelion record the Mars data J00##### (and set Search term)
Perihelion occurred at Ls 251 on Sol 485 - Earth Date 2022/06/21 Next: (estimated) 2024/05/08
Perihelion occurred at Ls 253 on Sol 485 Earth Date 2020/08/03 Earlier: 2018/09/16, 2016/10/29
Aphelion occurred at--- Ls 071 on Sol 152. Aphelion Earth Dates: Earlier: 2017/10/07, 2015/11/20
Aphelion occurred near Ls 070 on Sol 153 (per www.planetary.org)
Note#3: The computations below are dependent upon both the computations provided by the reference web site and by accuracy of recording of the time of observations. The calculations use tenths of hours. The Sun Distance needs to be captured at the moment the time increments to a given tenth.
Note on data below: The figure quoted after distance is a rate of progress along the orbital path [exact meaning to be determined]
Minus prefix means Mars is approaching the Sun. Plus prefix means Mars is moving away from the Sun.
The figure computed to the right of "Difference" is the rate of change of the distance to Sun. Increasing to Aphelion/Decreasing to Perihelion.
===
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 206,674,284 km [26.5 km/s] Difference is -05315 <= -0221 km/hour at 08.0 on 05/06 (time 8:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 206,679,599 km [26.5 km/s] Difference is -07473 <= -0311 km/hour at 08.0 on 05/05 (time 8:00) (24.0 hours)
Distance: Mars >> Sun per theskylive.com: 206,687,072 km [26.5 km/s] Difference is -09640 <= -0402 km/hour at 08.0 on 05/04 (time 8:00) (24.0 hours)
==*==*==*
Observation: The sky view is ** filled ** with objects and some have been recorded and given identification by humans or their robot assistants
And! ** All ** the location assignments are from the perspective of Earth. The entire catalog needs to be adjusted when inter-stellar travel begins
The work that lies ahead for the astronomical community is daunting - there is work ahead for centuries
2022/01/19 - All current (existing) stellar catalogs are computed with reference to the Earth. Another civilization would use it's planet as reference.
Perhaps a Milky Way frame of reference will become necessary at some point. The Earth is as good a Zero point as any, for humans.
=== Mars is in Regular Movement as seen from Earth. Mars is progressing from lower right to upper left in the view from Earth. Slant 20 degrees.
Next up: Star above path well ahead of 9 hours marker: TYC 2-781-1 RA 00h 19m 08.6s – Day 0 -
Star at RA 00h 15m 59.1s directly in path on Day 0 – Day 1 in lower right corner … last moments for this unlabelled star
====*====*>>>
Zoom Out Capability As a general observation ... I've become increasingly interested in knowing what the larger view of the sky might be like.
The site: theskylive.com does a terrific job of matching the view from Earth towards Mars, against a background of actual astronomical plates.
I wish there were a way (or rather, I wish I ** knew ** about a way that may exist) to enlarge the view until the entire galaxy is in view (Zoom out)
Update 2022/12/08 TheSkyLive.com provides a large view of selected objects: Select [Major Bodies] Then select [Information] in the body of interest
Update 2022/12/08 Scroll down to (body) Position and Finder Charts. Field of view is 50x30 degrees.
Note: The curve of the path of Mars as seen against the background of stars is now a line heading left at a downward angle.
As of 2023/01/11, the curve of the path has returned to regular movement to the left border
Light travel time today is between 16 and 17 minutes. Communications delay would be 32+ minutes round trip.
===
Earth Distance 2024/05/06 292,568,000 (decreasing)
Earth Distance 2024/05/05 293,108,000 (decreasing)
Earth Distance 2024/05/04 293,691,000 (decreasing)
#>
Light travel in one second is (about) 300,000 kilometers. The distance covered in one minute is about 18,000,000 kilometers. Estimated light times:
1:18, 2:36, 3:54, 4:72, 5:90, 6:108, 7:126, 8:144,9:162,10:180,11:198,12:216,13:234,14:252,15:270,16:288,17:306,18:324,19:342,20:360,21:378,22:396
Maximum Earth-Mars distance is estimated to be 401 million kilometers (both at apogee and opposite vs Sun)
Mars and Earth were in Opposition (Earth center) in December of 2022. The date coincided with a (very rare) occultation of Mars by the Moon.
Mars and Earth were in Conjunction (Sun center) in November of 2023.
Mars and Earth appear to have been as close as they will get in this cycle. 81,454,323 kilometers on J0036644 Time: 4.53 minutes - 9 minutes round trip
In his online interview with Dr. Zubrin at the 2020 Mars Conference, Elon Musk reminded the audience that communications with Mars will necessarily include an intermediary station to handle traffic when the Sun is between Mars and Earth. Communications delays in that circumstance will increase due to the extra distance to be covered. Mr. Musk indicated he expects such communication will be handled by laser. Location would be optimum at poles of solar plane.
Regular movement of Mars as seen from Earth resumed as of 2023/01/13. RA is once again increasing.
According to www.hercampus.com, Retrograde movement began October 30, 2022.
The online solar system display at the link below shows clearly how the Mars movement will occur in months ahead.
This web site offers an online model of the solar system: www.solarsystemscope.com It requires Chrome 57, Firefox 52 or Safari 10.1. Viewed 2022/10/13: Opposition will occur some time in December of 2022. Per earthsky.org, the date is December 8, 2022.
This web site offers an online orrery view of the Solar System: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
===
Sol 484 is in Month 18 of a Proposed 24 month calendar. See Post 19 of Holidays topic for a summary.
Month 18 extends from Sol 475 through 501. <<== There are 27 days in Month 18. See post 82 of Holidays topic for current details.
Direct path to source: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Sol 484 is Tuesday in the Proposed Business calendar for Mars. Sol 449 was a Skip Day on Mars. Next is near 486 May 7th
##
The Next New Year's on Mars will occur when Solar Longitude reaches 360 degrees. <<== The current year on Mars is 37
Per www.planetary.org Year 36 started 2021/02/07 on Earth. Mars Year 37 began 2022/12/27 on Earth.
Days of the Week Alignment:
Days of the week fall behind Earth due to the longer Sol, but they also change when Friday is omitted at the end of a Quarter
337 Earth days were observed to elapse in the 2020 weekday cycle. There were 7 week day transitions and 2 Quarter ends.
The next cycle began on the first Sol of the period of coincidence. The alignment of weekdays interval is in the range: (310 - 337)
To find the first day of a period of coincidence: Set up: SearchTerm(colon) and (colon)Alignment and J0036* or J0037*
The most recent End-Of-Quarter change occurred: … The search specified above gave 11 pages of results.
For current weather on Mars see:
***https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/weather/***
***Insight's weather info has been suspended and now is directing to msl*** <<-- Insight's mission is over (2022)
https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/weather/
Per SpaceNut: Here is another web page by NASA containing the latest news releases
https://mars.nasa.gov/news/?page=0&per_ … ope=Latest
All forum members are invited to post significant events for this day.
Events of interest will be ON Mars, or relate to Mars. Examples are launches, landings, discoveries
Standard Month in Mars Business Calendar Copyright ® 2023 NewMars.com Mars Society
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Recruiting text may be found at the bottom of this post: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 57#p154257
Month 18 of 24: Last month of Quarter 3 << There are 27 days in Month 18 <<== Proposed name: Perihelion
For kdb512 and GW Johnson...
Thank you for a ** very ** interesting meeting!
The free hour flew by and I missed the alert the time was about to expire.
We covered a lot of ground this evening ...
A highlight is the discovery that James Burk (Executive Director of the Mars Society) has been tied up in recent weeks, creating the Mars Technology institute.
Anyone who is interested can ask Google for the web site... All that's there at the moment is list of donors and principles...
The Institute is apparently not related to MIT, althought the appreviations contain the same letters.
It occurs to me that the work of Dr. Johnson would seem a good fit for an institution called Mars Technology Institute.
(th)