To go boldly...

[Vic]

Umm... you can't actually see a laser beam...

Is Mars atmosphere so thin that one wouldn't see a laser beam?

[Captain Seafort]

Umm... you can't actually see a laser beam...

Is Mars atmosphere so thin that one wouldn't see a laser beam?

Earth's atmosphere is so thin you wouldn't usually see a laser - there's not much point to them if they're having their energy scattered all over the place, as it would be if the beam were visible.

[Tsukiyumi]

Ordinarily you have to scatter something in front of a laser beam to make it visible: fog, smoke, etc.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

One wonders if it'll find either evidence of life or actual microbes themselves.

[thelordharry]

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

And my awe and wonder grew three sizes upon seeing that picture. Thanks, Harry.

[thelordharry]

When I first saw it, I thought, 'no way, that's from a sci-fi show or CGI or something' but no, there you have the sort of HD photographs that the vehicle will be constantly broadcasting. I'm sure one day, maybe even within our own lifetimes, we'll see a streaming web-cam on Mars

[Teaos]

Streaming webcam if mars... Both epic and utterly boring all at the same time.

I'd probably just end up TiVoing it.

[thelordharry]

Ooofha 360 degree view of Mars:

http://www.360cities.net/image/curiosity-rover-martian-solar-day-2#-396.20,35.29,110.0

[Mikey]

Ooofha 360 degree view of Mars:

http://www.360cities.net/image/curiosity-rover-martian-solar-day-2#-396.20,35.29,110.0

Very cool, but if that's Curiosity in the pic then who took the picture?

[Sonic Glitch]

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

My god, for once he's right!