Mars rover's "6 minutes of hell" 'R over - Page 2

jasong · 2012-08-06, 20:33

Maybe a retarded question, but...I know there are temperature extremes, but is there a middle ground where you could be outside without a space suit but with an oxygen mask, even for a few minutes?

Dubslow · 2012-08-06, 20:35

There is hardly any atmosphere at all, meaning there's not much that even can be hot or cold on your skin. Additionally, there's no magnetosphere, so you'll be blasted with radiation.

Batalov · 2012-08-06, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasong

Maybe a retarded question, but...I know there are temperature extremes, but is there a middle ground where you could be outside without a space suit but with an oxygen mask, even for a few minutes?

I haven't seen the new "Total recall" (and don't really intend to - except maybe for lols), but the old one had a hilarious shot of Arnie in the situation that you are interested in (find that fragment on youtube). The eyes may not be too happy.

It is fitting, too, because that flick is actually happening -- ...on Mars! ;-)

Uncwilly · 2012-08-06, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasong

Maybe a retarded question, but...I know there are temperature extremes, but is there a middle ground where you could be outside without a space suit but with an oxygen mask, even for a few minutes?

The pressure is an issue too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

The atmospheric pressure on the surface of Mars varies from around 30 pascals (0.0044 psi) on Olympus Mons's peak to over 1,155 pascals (0.1675 psi) in the depths of Hellas Planitia, with a mean surface level pressure of 600 pascals (0.087 psi), compared to Earth's sea level average of 101.3 kilopascals (14.69 psi)

Xyzzy · 2012-08-06, 23:19

Quote:

I haven't seen the new "Total recall"…

We went to see it Saturday. It was a lot better than we expected. We only went to watch Miss Beckinsale and Miss Biel beat each other up, cause you just KNOW that's gonna happen!

But it is actually a decent flick, if you are able to "turn off" your brain for a while.

Uncwilly · 2012-08-07, 00:04

Looking down:

A classic:
http://directedplay.com/first_tv_image_of_mars.html

cheesehead · 2012-08-07, 00:13

Commentary on media coverage of the Curiosity landing:

http://www.dorktower.com/2012/08/06/...ower-06-08-12/

only_human · 2012-08-07, 02:49

Curiosity’s Latest Mars Image Shows Imposing Mt. Sharp

Quote:

The newest robotic resident of Mars, Curiosity, has sent a spectacular image of its main scientific target, Mt. Sharp, a three-mile-high mountain in the center of Gale crater.

Taken with the probe’s front Hazard-Avoidance cameras (Hazcams), the high-resolution image also shows the rover’s shadow in the foreground and dark bands of dunes. After a flawless descent sequence, Curiosity landed a little less than four miles from the mountain. Within the next few days, the rover will start to move, sampling rocks and soil on its way to Mt. Sharp and slowly traveling up its side over the next two years.

Dubslow · 2012-08-07, 03:07

Why does everyone keep calling it a nuclear-powered device? While technically speaking that term is ambiguous and covers what the power source is, to most people it means something completely different than what's actually in the thing.

chalsall · 2012-08-07, 03:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubslow

Why does everyone keep calling it a nuclear-powered device?

Because it is?

Uncwilly · 2012-08-07, 06:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubslow

Why does everyone keep calling it a nuclear-powered device? While technically speaking that term is ambiguous and covers what the power source is, to most people it means something completely different than what's actually in the thing.

Because most people do not know or care what an RTG is. It only complicates things. If you said that is thermo-electrically powered, most people would have less of an idea how it works. It is fission powered, which is what most people know as 'nuclear powered'.

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2012-08-06, 20:33	#12
jasong "Jason Goatcher" Mar 2005 3×7×167 Posts	Maybe a retarded question, but...I know there are temperature extremes, but is there a middle ground where you could be outside without a space suit but with an oxygen mask, even for a few minutes?

2012-08-06, 20:35	#13
Dubslow Basketry That Evening! "Bunslow the Bold" Jun 2011 40<A<43 -89<O<-88 3×29×83 Posts	There is hardly any atmosphere at all, meaning there's not much that even can be hot or cold on your skin. Additionally, there's no magnetosphere, so you'll be blasted with radiation.

2012-08-07, 00:04	#17
Uncwilly 6809 > 6502 """"""""""""""""""" Aug 2003 101×103 Posts 2×4,909 Posts	Looking down: A classic: http://directedplay.com/first_tv_image_of_mars.html

2012-08-07, 00:13	#18
cheesehead "Richard B. Woods" Aug 2002 Wisconsin USA 2²·3·641 Posts	Commentary on media coverage of the Curiosity landing: http://www.dorktower.com/2012/08/06/...ower-06-08-12/

2012-08-07, 03:07	#20
Dubslow Basketry That Evening! "Bunslow the Bold" Jun 2011 40<A<43 -89<O<-88 3×29×83 Posts	Why does everyone keep calling it a nuclear-powered device? While technically speaking that term is ambiguous and covers what the power source is, to most people it means something completely different than what's actually in the thing.