MarsLink Resources

MarsLink On Line

The exploration of Mars necessarily involves electronic communications and computers. Spacecraft acquire observations tens of millions of kilometers from Earth and send the data to NASA's Deep Space Network. The data is then processed at a number of institutions. The use of computers and communications systems in planetary exploration parallels what is happening in our society. Acquiring and processing data is a rapidly growing part of the work of industrialized nations.

Because planetary exploration is a high-technology endeavor and because we need to train students in information technologies, Marslink materials will also be available in digital form at NASA's Planetary Data System Geosciences Node at Washington University in St. Louis. The materials will be placed on-line and will be available on Internet via anonymous file transfer protocol (FTP). The materials will also be accessible through modems for downloading to computers. Images will be stored in simple PostScript formats and text will be available as ASCII and printer PostScript files. This service will be on-line in January, 1994.

MarsLink will also be connected to NASA's Spacelink information system to allow users to access information and data about planetary exploration that are related to, but beyond the scope of, Marslink.

Instructions for Accessing MarsLink via Internet or Modem

Two methods are available for accessing MarsLink material from the Planetary Data System Geosciences Node at Washington University.

Method 1: Internet File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

For this method, you will need the following:

  1. A computer at your site with access to the Internet network.
  2. A user account on that computer.
  3. FTP software on that computer (FTP is standard with Unix operating systems).
  4. A printer that can print PostScript files, or a word processing program that can read PostScript files.

To access MarsLink, perform the following steps:

  1. Log on to the computer at your site.
  2. Connect to Washington University by typing this command: ftp wufs.wustl.edu. If your computer doesn't recognize the name wufs.wustl.edu, use the numeric address instead: ftp 128.252.144.28.
  3. When prompted for a login name, type "anonymous".
  4. When prompted for a password, type your complete electronic mail address; for example, student@myschool.mycity.edu. If you don't know your e-mail address, ask the person who manages your computer.
  5. When you see the prompt "ftp >", type "cd marslink".
  6. To see what is available for you to copy, type "ls". You will see a file called README with some other files. README has information about what's in the other files, so get this file first.
  7. To copy README to your computer, type "get README".
  8. Look at README on your computer to decide which of the other files you want.
  9. Before you copy any of the other files, first type "binary".
  10. To copy another file, type "get xxx". Replace "xxx" with the name of the file you want.
  11. When you are finished, get out of FTP by typing "bye".
  12. The files you have copied are PostScript files, so you can print them on a PostScript printer or use a word processing program that can read PostScript files.

Method 2: Using a Modem

(Currently the system operates only at 9,600 baud.)

For this method, you will need the following:

  1. A computer at your site with a modem. The communications settings for the modem should be even parity, 7 data bits, 1 stop bit.
  2. Communications software to operate the modem, including the capability to transfer both ascii (plain text) and binary files. ProComm and VersaTerm are two examples of such software.
  3. A printer that can print PostScript files, or a word processing program that can read PostScript files.

To access MarsLink, perform the following steps:

  1. Using your modem, dial one of these numbers: 314-935-5376, 314-935-4108, 314-935-4110, 314-935-4111, 314-935-4112 or 314-935-4113. It doesn't matter which number you use. There are several numbers because there are often many people calling at the same time. If you get a busy signal on one line, just try a different one until you get in.
  2. When you see this prompt-WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY GANDALF STARMASTERNETWORK-type "wunet".
  3. When you see the prompt, "CALL IN PROGRESS class start", press your Enter (or Return) key three times.
  4. When you see the prompt "Washington University Office of the Network Coordinator cfcts>", type "wufs".
  5. When you are prompted for a login name, type "marsuser".
  6. When you are prompted for a password, type "!Martians!". Be sure to type it exactly as shown, using both upper- and lower-case letters.
  7. To see what is available for you to copy, type "ls". You will see a file called README with some other files. README has information about what's in the other files, so get this file first.
  8. To copy README to your computer, use the communications software on your computer for transferring a text file.
  9. Look at README on your computer to decide which of the other files you want.
  10. Use the communications software on your computer to transfer the files you want. All the files except README are PostScript files, so they must be copied as binary files.
  11. When you are finished, log out of wufs by typing "logout" and hang up your modem to break the connection.
  12. The files you have copied are PostScript files, so you can print them on a PostScript printer or use a word processing program that can read PostScript files.

If you have problems or questions about accessing MarsLink, contact Susan Slavney or Ravi Animi at Washington University, Campus Box 1169, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, (314) 935-5493. Slavney's e-mail address is slavney@wunder.wustl.edu. Animi's e-mail address is ravi@prithvi.wustl.edu.

Other electronic information services

Various electronic services offer teachers an array of educational materials. For example, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Public Information Office offers numerous color images of the planets, news about exploration projects and a library of information specifically for teachers. This information is free for the cost of the telephone call. Dial the JPL Public Information Line number direct from your modem at (818) 354-1333, or, if you're on the Internet, the address is pubinfo.jpl.nasa.gov.

NASA's SpaceLink is an online service located at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Designed specifically for teachers, the data base is arranged to provide easy access to current and historical information on NASA aeronautics, space research and technology transfer. The system offers downloadable shareware and public domain programs useful for science educators, graphics and images from NASA's planetary probes and classroom activities that incorporate information on NASA projects to teach scientific principles. The number is (205) 895-0028, or, if you're on the internet, the address is spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov.

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory has one of NASA's most useful educational outreach programs. Their Teacher Resource Center has publications, media, displays and a classroom of the future. Educators can can get a variety of booklets, lithographs, posters, videotapes and curriculum materials either by written request or by visiting the center. The address is JPL, Teacher Resource Center, Mail Stop CS-530, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena CA 91109. The phone number is (818) 354-6916.

Free materials include the following:

  1. Teacher information package (with mission information)
  2. A set of NASA posters
  3. Free videos, such as (a) The Best of JPL; (b) The Travels of Voyager; (c) JPL Computer Graphics (this video includes Mars, the Movie, a computer animation of a flyby over the Tharsis Plateau and Valles Marineris); (d) The Shuttle Collection ; (e) The Apollo Collection; and (f) Elementary Science from Space. Educators can get these videotapes by sending or bringing to the center a new, quality brand VHS cassette-still sealed-for each JPL tape.

The Planetary Society

The Planetary Society can supply several resources that can accompany MarsLink activities. For a free catalog of resources and information, phone (818) 793-1675. Educators who are also Planetary Society members receive a 20 percent discount on all purchases. Simply submit your order and membership number on your school letterhead.

  1. Suggested Books:
    (a) Carr, M.H., 1981, The Surface of Mars, Yale University Press, New York;
    (b) Beatty, J. Kelly and Andrew Chaikin, editors, 1991, The New Solar System, Sky Publishing and Cambridge University Press, New York;
    (c) Pasachoff, Jay M., 1992, Peterson Field Guide to the Stars and Planets, Houghton Mifflin, Boston.
  2. Posters: (a) Laser print of cratered southern hemisphere of Mars (20 x 16"); (b) "Solar System in Pictures," nine 8 x 10" posters; (c) "Solar System Chart," color poster (39 x 25"); and (d) "The Explorer's Guide to Mars," a detailed map of Mars with topographic features and the Viking Lander sites. Information and images of Mars frame this 40 x 26" Map.
  3. Slide sets:
    (a) "New Images of Mars," 20 slides with descriptions;
    (b) "Viking 1 and 2 at Mars," 40 slides with audio cassette.
  4. Videos (a) Mars and Mercury and (b) The Planets.

US Geological Survey

The US Geological Survey produced a comprehensive set of geologic, geomorphic and topographic Mars maps. We recommend the following maps as introductions to scale and topography. They are available inexpensively to teachers and can be ordered from the US Geological Survey, Map Distribution Office, Box 25286, Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225.

  1. Shaded Relief Map of Mars; 1979; order number: I-940. The surface of Mars is displayed in one Mercator and two polar stereographic projections on this sheet. Only surface relief is shown, and this is the best map to display terrain.
  2. Topographic Map of Mars; 1991; order number I-2179. This map is similar to the previous map, except this one also shows contour and albedo (brightness) features.
  3. Geologic Map of Mars; 1978; order number I-1083. A multicolored map that exhibits and describes the geology of Mars.

NASA

"Discovering Mars," December 1992, NASA brochure PAM-537, free from NASA's Teacher Resource Centers. They also offer a new slide set, "Science from New Worlds." The set of 20 slides features some of the best images captured by NASA's spacecraft, including images of comets, asteroids and each of the nine planets. A selection of classroom activities and a planet worksheet are included.

Other publications

  1. "Astronomy in the Classroom" and "Mars: Did It Once Have Life?" in Astronomy Magazine, September, 1993, Vol. 21, No. 9.
  2. Cattermole, Peter, 1992, Mars, The Story of the Red Planet, Chapman & Hall, London. An attractive and informative reference available from the Arizona State University Bookstore, $35.
  3. Free-"Astronomy and Space Science Resource List" compiled by Carolyn Collins Petersen, Loch Ness, P.O. Box 3023, Boulder, Colorado 80307. This list represents a selection of possible sources of items and information, ranging from NASA centers to independent entrepreneurs, universities and government agencies.
  4. Barrow, L.H., 1993, "A Portfolio of Learning," in Science and Children, National Science Teachers Association, Wash., D.C., November/December 1993, pp. 38-39.
  5. Hartmann, William, 1991, Astronomy: The Cosmic Journey, Wadsworth Publishing, New York. Hartmann provides more information on Bodes' Rule and the orbits of the planets, pp. 69-70.