THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER

I think it was science fiction writer Charlie Stross who said that anyone wishing to settle Mars should first try settling the Gobi Desert in the winter while wearing a fireman’s respirator. Somehow I doubt these folks would want to do that, but at least they have more imagination than the wretched politicians who have [...]

“…observed features of the [Martian] Melas Chasma look remarkably like Blaenau-Ffycin-Ffestiniog when viewed from the heavens.” But it’s too late, Mrs. Charm’s beloved Wales and its ridiculous spelling have lost out in the Mars-comparison sweepstakes. Still, there’s always Qwghlm. Minus the reefs, of course

It’s been an amazing six years for the Martian rover Spirit. But the little robot may finally be dying in winter temps of almost seventy degrees below zero F. It hasn’t been heard from since March 22: “The earliest date the rover could generate enough power to send a beep to Earth was calculated to be around July [...]

  I enjoyed this 1992 scifi novel of physicist Charles Sheffield’s, though it seemed unnecessarily complicated in the beginning. A little more action before establishing the seven main characters would have prevented me from putting it down so often. Sheffield died of brain cancer in 2002, which resonates because a good friend of Mrs. Charm’s [...]

Amazing what a high-resolution satellite camera can do. These are some details of the Abalos Undae sand dunes. Meanwhile, a permanent moon base gets another boost. Via Simply Jews.

Amazing what a high-resolution satellite camera can do. These are some details of the Abalos Undae sand dunes. Meanwhile, a permanent moon base gets another boost. Via Simply Jews.

Big Media, as usual, is twisting the discovery of the methane to mean that there probably are microbes beneath the windblown soil of the Red Planet. But the researchers say it could as easily be the result of geological processes. I agree with Instapundit that it would be best if the source was not microbial. [...]

Big Media, as usual, is twisting the discovery of the methane to mean that there probably are microbes beneath the windblown soil of the Red Planet. But the researchers say it could as easily be the result of geological processes. I agree with Instapundit that it would be best if the source was not microbial. [...]

Mars, it seems, for all its dust, airlessness and radiation, could be a livable place, after all. Via the Seablogger.

The confirmation this week of liquid water on Mars may not be startling but it’s a solid boost: "Mars has become a much more attractive location for the establishment of earthly life. That knowledge will help in the refinement of plans for settling the planet in a self-sufficient way, whenever those who wish to do [...]