Let Them Eat Cake

LAYER CAKE: Yesterday during the planetarium show, the host was telling the audience a bit about how Mars rover Curiosity's landing site was selected. Naturally, that involved talking about the geology of Mars. He mentioned how mars has canals and canyons, and he threw a LARGE graphic up on the domed ceiling to illustrate how the layers beneath Mars' surface are intriguing, as they hold keys to its past. 


But rather than just showing some rocky canyon, the photo he used was of a 7-layer cake in rainbow colors. Ever since then, CJ has been obsessing about making a Mars cake. I told him I was down with that - and that we even have a sphere-shaped cake pan!- but OUR Mars cake would be Mars-y colors. He was OK with that. 


So, this afternoon we whipped up some vanilla cake batter from scratch, separated it into several bowls, and the kids mixed up multi colors for the strata. 

The kids carefully coated the inside of the cake pans so that Mars wouldn't stick to its sides. 

While we waited for it to bake, there was some beater licking. ... 

The kids were pretty happy with how their halves turned out fresh from the oven.

We used some bright red buttercream to stick the planet's halves together and melted some white chocolate to swirl on for the polar cap atop it.


But the real thrill awaited us on the inside. ... Don't worry, Mars, this won't hurt a bit ...

Look at how beauteous the Red Planet is, with its layers of different colors!

And it tastes good, too! :)

ROVER BUILDERS: We haven't done anything crafty in too long, so today we broke out the scissors, glue sticks and card stock and used a template gleaned from JPL's Mars Program Web site to build a Mars Pathfinder replica at 1/17th scale of the original version (or so the Web site says). The Pathfinder template included three parts - a lander (which NASAlater renamed for Carl Sagan, BTW), an electronics box and a cute lil micro rover named Sojourner (pictured below, image courtesy of NASA, of course).

And here's what the kids' version looked like ... Their rovers are emerging from their landers, BTW.

To get some writing in for the day, I asked the kids to write a story about their rover exploring a place that was familiar to them. Read on ...



The Rover Safeco Field Disaster by CJ

R4-X8 is a rover. One day his commander said, "C'mon guy, today you are going somewhere." R4-X8 said "OH BOY!!! I AM GOING SOMEWHERE!" During the flight, he noticed that he had never been there before.

R4-X8 was dropped off at the Mariners game. Then he said, "What the Mars is this place?"  In the game, a ball was thrown at R4-X8, but he caught it, took a sample out of it, and his screen read "ERROR! COULD NOT IDENTIFY!" After that, a player for the Mariners said "HEY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING WIT-". He was shot by R4-X8's laser before he could finish his sentence.

After that, all of the Mariners and R4-X8 got in a huge field fight. The Safeco Field alarm went off, the police came in, and people rushed out the doors. Eventually, the police managed to shut R4-X8 down, and NASA was sued for a fine of $30,000. After that, NASA was forced to burn the pieces of the rover, and bury the ashes 500,000 myrameters deep.

Ruby the Rover by Annabelle

There once was a rover named Ruby, who was made in 2012. Ruby was new to the world when she first opened the lens to her camera. So, in a robotic voice, she said, "Where am I? I do not know what planet this is..."

"Welcome to the world, Ruby" said a scientist.

Ruby said, “Who are you talking to, stranger?"

And then the scientist said, "I'm talking to you, Ruby."

"I'm Ruby?" said Ruby.

"Just try to move, we want to test you," the scientist said.

Ruby said, "O.K." And Ruby started moving around, just about as fast as a walking person. The scientist opened the door. "Try to get through here" he said, and since Ruby was about as big as a dog, she easily fit through.

Once she got out of the door, the scientist said, "This is Earth, go ahead and explore a bit." So Ruby went around to explore. She soon reached the park, read the sign and said "Bayview Park....I wonder what a bay is..." But she went to explore Bayview anyway.

There were kids playing at Bayview, and Ruby, noticing this, went really slowly up to one of the children. The child noticed Ruby and said, "Hey, a rover! Hi there little guy, what are you doing here?"

"I am exploring 'the world'" said Ruby.

"Oh, well would you like to explore my house?" said the child. "Oh wait, I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Annabelle, and what's your name?" the child asked Ruby.

“My name is y3s9, better known as Ruby."

Then Ruby and Annabelle went home.

THE END!

FLASHBACK: I figured since Curiosity is about to land, it is probably about time I FINALLY get photos from my MSL launch party/Tweetup last November online, eh?


So here, without further ado, they are.



WANT: I can't remember the last decade I bought any Hot Wheels, but I'll be stalking the toy aisles come September for Hot Wheels Mars Rover Curiosity!


PROGRESS: About half past noon we watched an unmanned Russian cargo ship, Progress 48, launching to the International Space Station today. Its mission was unique, as its goal was to become the first spacecraft ever to dock at the orbiting laboratory on the same day as its launch, according to NASA officials. (Historically, it's been a two-plus day trip). 


I also asked the kids what they thought would happen next if Progress 48 was successful in its speedy docking. Annabelle replied, "Humans?" 


Sure 'nuff. According to plans, Russia intends to use this same-day rendezvous and docking process for manned Soyuz flights to deliver new crew members to the ISS. That would be progress, indeed.


I asked the kids why making the same-day trip might be beneficial. Annabelle immediately noted that with the short trip, astronauts would need less food and water ('provisions' I told her). CJ noted that if that were the case, there would be room for other cargo. Another BIG bonus would be astronauts' comfort. I said to the kids, 'You've seen a Soyuz capsule at The Museum of Flight. Would you rather sit in it for six hours or two and a half days straight?"


They both shot back SIX HOURS! without hesitation. I'll bet astronauts everywhere are hoping the Progress 48 approach works.


Just like clockwork, Progress 48 launched from the Baikonour Cosmodrome in central Asia; it was set to arrive at the ISS at 6:24 p.m. our time. 


We have advanced technology now," said Bee. Right! Better computers = better math and calculations. Being able to make the 6 hour trip means you have to launch at the right time and place and have your target at the exact right time and place. In other words, the orbital mechanics of the launch have to be spot on. 


During dinner, we watched Progress 48 approach the ISS. Everything was on target, and the unmanned spacecraft actually arrived a few minutes ahead of schedule and docked without incident about 253 miles above the west coast of South America. Mission Control in Russia erupted with cheers.