There's a strange light up ahead. It's on my course, so if it persists, I will investigate.
The Circumnavigation of Mercury
- Thread starter Andrew Linton
- Start date
^ That streak was no more than an artefact; a temporary smudge on the canopy.
A grandiose landscape lies ahead; I expect to visit a large crater soon.
A grandiose landscape lies ahead; I expect to visit a large crater soon.
...and there's the central peak on a bearing of 155 which is rather off my course.
I still have to negotiate the rim of the crater, which is quite tough to do. If my next waypoint weren't inside the crater I'd be tempted to skirt around it.
I still have to negotiate the rim of the crater, which is quite tough to do. If my next waypoint weren't inside the crater I'd be tempted to skirt around it.
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(0,-170)
(0,-169)
(0,-168)
Thank you Stellar Forge and Mercury for giving me some Great Plains driving.
I think I'm maybe 5 degrees away from being one diameter away from The Big One.
Thank you Stellar Forge and Mercury for giving me some Great Plains driving.
I think I'm maybe 5 degrees away from being one diameter away from The Big One.
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That looks like Cassiopeia off on a bearing of 040
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Getting closer to being one diameter away from The Big One (please don't say I'm only 1mm away).
Getting closer to being one diameter away from The Big One (please don't say I'm only 1mm away).
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Can't get a good measurement on the big crater in this image. The lighting in the sysmap varies a lot.
Can't get a good measurement on the big crater in this image. The lighting in the sysmap varies a lot.
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I think I'm less than one diameter away from The Big One. The image in the previous degree probably obscured the location. It's only an estimate, anyway, at this stage in measuring the crater.
I think I'm less than one diameter away from The Big One. The image in the previous degree probably obscured the location. It's only an estimate, anyway, at this stage in measuring the crater.
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Another wishy-washy sysmap image
Another wishy-washy sysmap image
10 degrees travelled today, so far; 426km. I've covered 307 degrees in total, with 53 to go. Over 13,000Km (13Mm if you prefer), with 2,256km to go. Estimated completion brought forward by a day owing to the daily rate improving.
(0,-162)
11 degrees today; 468km. 86% complete with 52 degrees to go.
So much for dodging those craters on the approach to The Big One; I'm right in the centre of the southerly one. My priority is stay on the equator; to me that's more important than driving round obstacles.
11 degrees today; 468km. 86% complete with 52 degrees to go.
So much for dodging those craters on the approach to The Big One; I'm right in the centre of the southerly one. My priority is stay on the equator; to me that's more important than driving round obstacles.
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Clear of that crater; nothing very significant to the East of me now.
Clear of that crater; nothing very significant to the East of me now.
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A picture paintsa thousand thirteen facts.
A picture paints
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I know it's way too soon, but I can't help looking ahead for the sunrise. It must be about 40 degrees away.
I mentioned earlier that I often have a little skid at the start of a leg as I try to accelerate too quickly. A similar thing happens towards the end of the leg which I call my 'one kilometre spin'. Eager to reach the next waypoint, I often have a sudden change of direction.
From the centre of that crater I was in to this location is 3 degrees; it looks to be about the same to the western rim of The Big One. Looks like it might be a long and rugged climb to the top.
I know it's way too soon, but I can't help looking ahead for the sunrise. It must be about 40 degrees away.
I mentioned earlier that I often have a little skid at the start of a leg as I try to accelerate too quickly. A similar thing happens towards the end of the leg which I call my 'one kilometre spin'. Eager to reach the next waypoint, I often have a sudden change of direction.
From the centre of that crater I was in to this location is 3 degrees; it looks to be about the same to the western rim of The Big One. Looks like it might be a long and rugged climb to the top.
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I was wondering if the mountains up ahead are the rim of The Big One.
Probably not. Maybe they're just foothills.
Probably not. Maybe they're just foothills.
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Stella Forge: "Monsieur Fourier, I'm designing Mercury and I'm putting this stonking big crater right on the equator. I want to make it difficult for circumnavigators to reach it and cross it. Can you help?"
Joseph Fourier: "Why, yes I can , Stella. I'll create myriad short wavelength features that will make the ride very uncomfortable indeed."
Stella Forge: "Perfect."
Stella Forge: "Monsieur Fourier, I'm designing Mercury and I'm putting this stonking big crater right on the equator. I want to make it difficult for circumnavigators to reach it and cross it. Can you help?"
Joseph Fourier: "Why, yes I can , Stella. I'll create myriad short wavelength features that will make the ride very uncomfortable indeed."
Stella Forge: "Perfect."