You may have gathered I like things astronomical and sciencey. On Monday afternoon I took the kids out to the Tidbinbilla tracking station outside Canberra. The station is also known as the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex (CDSCC) and forms an integral parts of NASA's space communications network alongside similar stations in Madrid and California. The Tidbinbilla station was the one that was going to be facing Mars when Curiosity landed after its nine month journey between the planets. I wanted to be there at 1530 when the signal was received (or not received!).
We arrived out there at about half-two and parked by the side of the road some 500m from the front entrance. We joined a long line of cars and more were arriving behind us. By the time we got into the visitors centre the place was packed and standing room only (and rather stuffy) with a large screen piping in the feed from JPL. It was fantastic to see so many people – and all sorts too – out there to witness something the internet would have shown them better. Mobile devices had to be switched off so they didn't interfere with the radio gear on-site. We left the main building and went outside to the playground and some fresh air(!). I caught up with a photog mate who was out there doing some time-lapse work.
I loved explaining to the kids that at that moment, at 1500 the dish was sending a signal across 220 million kilometers, to another planet, to the Curiosity to 'Go!' to begin it's descent… and that after 30 minutes we'd know whether it had worked or not. That dish there … that one right there … will pick up the signal. I was excited 😉
At about 1525 we sneaked in around the side into the visitors centre to listen to the JPL stream. We could hear them calling the descent rate of 0.75 meters per second when they announced 'Touchdown! Curiosity has landed'. The place erupted in near-teary and relieved applause … the atmosphere was terrific … we all clapped and cheered. We applauded not only the engineering feat (the calculations!) or that it all worked (I want a sky crane!) but through relief that hopes and dreams had not been dashed. That this will be the last rover for some time and had it failed there would unlikely be another for many, many years. What a cool thing … they took a moving science lab the size and weight of a car and flung it through space and landed it on another planet to within 7km of its landing spot … who on Earth works that kind of stuff out?
The photo is one I took on another visit (we're somewhat regulars) during winter last year. It was an icy windy day beneath low clouds when the sunset broke through and bathed the dish in beautiful golden light.
You’re talking about the recent Mars landing (I haven’t really been keeping up with it, but did hear the good news)? The only dish I’ve seen is the one at Parkes….moved so silently it was stealthy….fabulous! The visitor’s centre there is fascinating and the scientists I spoke with whilst interacting with the interactive displays were all….well….quite human, if you know what I mean….not ‘nerdy’ at all! (jes kiddin’….) Being somewhat scientific in my bent anyways (amongst other things), I have great respect for their willingness to explore the unknown, to even dare to theorise, to never give up, to try anything to make it work, whatever it is, and just the sheer perseverance, and their joy when it all works is so …. childlike and innocent …. like it’s all new! I really admire them…I understand your fervour! Did your kids enjoy the spectacle and the visitor’s centre as much as you did?
Thanks Janina. The kids did enjoy themselves and now they can say they were there … well, you know … vicariously ‘there’ 🙂
It is an amazing spot isn’t it? We go out every couple of years and every time say to each other on the way home ‘we should do this more often’.
How lovely that you could be there for such a historic occasion.
Thanks Sue, I love that ‘peek’ you get of the main dish as you come over the hill on the way from the Cotter 🙂
That is very cool, indeed. And gorgeous photo
Thank you … it was a cool thing to do and well worth the effort 🙂
Geoff, I read your exciting post first, while the photo above was loading and oh my goodness what a shot! Absolutely glorious and in awe, both words and picture!
Thanks Patti … and quite awe inspiring to be there when the transmissions were sent and received … to think that the dish is communicating with a device on Mars!
Wow, the human race sure can accomplish many great things when it puts its mind to it. I remember when the first landing on the moon was. Same reaction. The awe and the wonder. At that time I was busy with my own life and did not really appreciate the awe or the wonder but truly we, as a race, are moving forward in leaps and bounds. My only hope is that we remember our humanity!!! Thank you!!
I hope we remember our humanity too and not simply a bastardised nationalistic version of it 🙂
Awesome photo Geoffrey – the light is perfect. I love space and science too (and those dish things – haha – loved the movie ‘The Dish’) – imagine if it had not landed upright!
You know Gabe I wanted to be there in case no signal was received … there was real tension in the air … I mean there was a lot to go wrong and it could have so easily done so! There would have been tears and a great gnashing of teeth (I love that expression)
I love that you took your kids to see this, Geoff. The other day I watched this video and was gobsmacked:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISmWAyQxqqs
I am so glad the NASA program is still doing something!!!
I’m glad that they can now say they were there but I was also so pleased that it generated so much interest to pack the place out. Great to see space exploration can still draw a crowd 🙂
Oh yes, and the image is GORGEOUS!
🙂
Wow, thanks for sharing this, it’s a bit like I’ve been there as well. Also reminds me a little of the day a few weeks ago when CERN announced that they might have discovered the Higgs Boson. While I was reading the news one of my Facebook friends also posted something on the matter and we were sending comments back and forth, sharing our excitement. That was fun. Science is so awesome and if it comes to the universe there is just no limit 🙂
Well we were there on Mars with Curiosity vicariously so I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t be also 🙂
I think the research into the Higgs will bear longer term benefits than Curiosity will but I love the idea of exploring another planet.
Your commentary takes me further into your spirit, and I also appreciate the peek into your family life. The photograph is stunning. It is a wonderful juxtaposition of intricate textures and soft tones that spark the visual senses to pay attention. It has an other worldly quality. Great shot.
Thanks … there is a very strong family life Sally … it’s just that this blog isn’t the place I’d normally share it 🙂
Great capture: the colors are amazing! NIcely done.
Have a nice day.
The colours were amazing!
It is a very impressive destination for an educational outing, and the photograph is equally as impressive! Terrific framing and lighting :^)
Thanks Doug … sometime it all just comes together and the picture is right in front of you waiting to be taken.
Must have been really exciting to be part of the reason landing on Mars. And the photo is gorgeous, such beautiful light.
It was history Otto and I’m very happy to have been there not just for the landing but with such a large crowd of obviously interested people too … people who’d also made the effort to be a part of it too.
Wonderful! Sounds like an exciting experience. Both you and my husband should save up for the sky crane;) You could share. I’ll chip in what I can:) Great image.
Very nice frame and subject. Love light and colors of this beautiful picture
Great composition and tones !
amazing work and you’re a great great photographer !