Mars in in the news this week:

UAE Hope mission returns first image of Mars

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56060890

The camera capturing Mars' craters and canyon

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55943374

Exciting stuff.

Sky watchers - Mars is still visible this month. For the February night sky, See:

http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html

BTW This link will update month by month...

Roger

Thanks for the links Roger! 

Very glad that Hope successfully entered Mars orbit.
Looking forward to Perseverance Mission.

Tomorrow I arrive at Jezero Crater, a dry lakebed on Mars. I’ll chart a path along its ancient shoreline, to see if it’s like similar places on Earth. I’m looking for rocks that tell a story of past microbial life. https://t.co/5RCEWdNc9b #CountdownToMars pic.twitter.com/NsNJjXHPbu

— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) February 17, 2021

Up to check on progress:

Nasa Mars rover: Perseverance robot heads for daunting landing

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56103231

Watch the Feb. 18 Landing Broadcast

https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/timeline/landing/watch-online/

Roger

Additional - you may find this story about solar activity of interest:

Astronomers are using tree rings as a historical record of solar activity

https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/tree-rings-reconstruct-millennium-solar-activity/

R.

Are you watching the NASA coverage?

https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/timeline/landing/watch-online/

R.

Yes, one of my friends (at Vaisala, Helsinki) is watching this closely for the same reason.

I am enjoying the live coverage.

That was seriously impressive.

addition:

As it happened: Nasa rover performs 'flawless' landing on Mars

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/science-environment-56101496

Roger

Yes, indeed. I watched it live, having just managed to extricate myself from a Zoom call....

It was quite entertaining listening to the BBC News24 coverage:

'Can you control the descent and the landing from here?"  ..... "No, there's an 11-minute delay."

"Ah, so the celebrations were 11 minutes after the rover touched down"

🤔

I thought the rover tweeting its arrival was a nice touch.

WATCH:

The journey to the surface of Mars made by the Perseverance rover
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56158928

Roger

Wow Roger - one of the most remarkable sights we could hope to see.

Watch this everyone!

Scott Manley has produced another vid with a more detailed description of the landing. Well worth a look as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfgzTfw_J6o&t=6s

Do not need it on Earth. We have "ALEXA". Though it will be years to find something civilized to talk to  and get an answer .... 

Have they fitted an effective 'Fake News' filter?

😳

🤔

Thanks for sharing - adds more interest to an already amazing event!

That was very good, Dev.  Thanks for posting the link.

Great stuff. Looking forward to some hi-res pics from the rover and the helicopter/drone.

News from off the beaten track planet!

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2021/parker-solar-probe-offers-a-stunning-view-of-venus.

Fascinating - and a good site with masses of interesting stuff: I had to drag myself away!

Latest pictures from Perseverance - some more stunning shots!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-56238018

'Space Hurricane' has been detected over the North Pole!

https://www.sciencealert.com/for-the-first-time-a-plasma-hurricane-has-been-detected-in-space?fbclid=IwAR17XNZPTtKeNbHZKyMlP2rG5g4SJMQ4E6bVmPvgn-5dQGNQwyAFD9zjm7M.