iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Dennis

Don Davis @ddavisspaceart.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

51 years ago I painted a trio of Viking related works for NASA HQ including the widely reproduced one of the landing on Mars. I have reimagined the Landing portrayal in updated form using digital methods of visualization and painting. I chose the same angle but with reality replacing anticipation.

This oil painting portrays the Viking 1 landing on Mars, which appeared in countless publications. The story of this work is relayed in an earlier post and is shown here for comparison with the new portrayal of this very view, showing the event as it would have appeared.
This 1975 anticipatory painting was done with oils on a gesso smoothed 16 X 20 canvas panel, using traditional art methods including a tracing paper guide featured earlier.
This work shows in retrospect my ideal of the 'spirit of space art', showing something of a summary of what is known of the subject while conveying what it is about the subject's known or theorized attributes that I find visually compelling. The new digital painting updates that visual impression with one based on our current knowledge. The new digital work was also done at the same size as this one was for possible printing purposes, 16 by 20 inches at 300 DPI.
#Sciart

In 1976 the pair of Viking spacecraft orbiter/lander combos were sent to Mars. Before Viking, Mars was still largely a place of our imaginations, an unknown that we wrote stories about then studied from Earth and space. The dominance of cratered terrain on the portions of Mars photographed by Mariners 4, 6 and 7 gave an initially Lunar impression of that world, which changed during the development of the Viking lander after Mariner 9 revealed the planet.
The first landing was aimed for a flat flood plain, judged as a decent place to search for life. The landing date was July 4, however the intended site appeared too rough for comfort in the high quality orbiter photos, causing the landing to wisely be delayed. A smoother site further 'down stream' was found using photo and radar data.
The landing proceeded quite nominally, a magnificent achievement that apparently accounted for what it had to and made it the first time.

The first photo from the surface was a look at a footpad to see how solid the 'footing' appeared. Then a moderate resolution panorama of the surroundings was obtained, first showing the rocks, hills, dunes-and bright sky. The latter was my biggest surprise as a space artist.

The adjustments to the color balance of the later photos were gradually narrowed down. The ubiquitous dust is planet wide, suspended in the air and coloring the sky a luminous tan ochre.

This digital painting shows the view a meter above the surface seeing the lander briefly kicking up dust less than a second before touchdown with the footpads 1.4 meters high. The landing rockets were designed with many nozzles to disturb the surroundings as little as possible. The nearby disturbed dust resembles in color that of the sky. We are 6 meters away from the center of the lander. field of view is 60 degrees, we are looking Northwest with the Sun and Earth off the frame to the left.

This is a digital art update of the pre mission oil painting I did for NASA HQ 1n 1975.

#Sciart

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Reposted by Dennis

NASAWATCH @nasawatch.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

NASA Will Compete JPL’s Management Contract nasawatch.com/ask-the-admi... @NASA @NASAJPL

nasawatch.com

NASA Will Compete JPL's Management Contract

NASA Will Compete JPL Contract

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Reposted by Dennis

Brent Noll @brentnoll.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

The JPL one is done!

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Perseverance selfie back in March 2026 www.nasa.gov/image-articl...

Image of the Perseverance Rover taken on March 11, 2026.

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

The thin blue line of the Earth's atmosphere. images.nasa.gov/details/art0...

The thin blue line of the Earth. Credit: NASA

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Reposted by Dennis

Simeon Schmauß @stim3on.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

I have recently used that API myself to build an alternate search interface for NASA images which fetches both images and the metadata from the API. Using the API should also allow you to add a download button to the full resolution images. sschmaus.github.io/NASAimages/?...

sschmaus.github.io

NASA Image Search

An alternate search interface for the NASA Image and Video Library with better filtering and auto reload functionality.

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

science.nasa.gov/mission/land...

Landsat images that spell out the name "Dennis"

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Reposted by Dennis

Scientific American @sciam.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Experts found that the White House budget request for the upcoming fiscal year could defund 54 NASA science missions, including a spacecraft currently studying Jupiter and two planned Venus missions: www.scientificamerican.com/article/whit...

Headline reads: White House budget seeks to scrap 54 major NASA science missions. Over an image of Jupiter.

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

What an inspirational crew to visit the moon in over 50+ years! I had the privilege to see Reid, Victor, Christina, Jeremy and his backup Jenni, in person last year and it's amazing to see their aspirations come true. We wish them a safe homecoming, their bravery and dedication inspire us all!

Picture of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Jenni Gibbons, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, the crew of Artemis II, together on stage in January 2025.

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

The light leak in this image of the crescent Earth above the Moon just made it more stylistic. I've processed it to bring out the artifacts. images.nasa.gov/details/art0...

The Artemis II crew captures a faint view of a crescent Earth above the horizon on the Moon’s far side. The light leak gives it a more stylistic feeling. Image was processed to make the artifacts more prominent. Credit: NASA/martiandennis (image processing)

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

The view before Earthset. images.nasa.gov/details/art0...

A view from the window of the Orion spacecraft approximately 9 minutes before Earthset during the Artemis II lunar flyby on April 6, 2026. Credit: NASA

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Why does this backlit image of a celestial body hit so hard? images.nasa.gov/details/art0...

The Moon, backlit by the Sun during a solar eclipse, is photographed by NASA’s Orion spacecraft on April 6, 2026, during the Artemis II mission. Orion is visible in the foreground on the left. Earth is reflecting sunlight at the left edge of the Moon, which is slightly brighter than the rest of the disk. The bright spot visible just below the Moon’s bottom right edge is Saturn. Beyond that, the bright spot at the right edge of the image is Mars. Credit: NASA/martiandennis (processing)

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

The picture of Reid Wiseman looking out the window of the Orion capsule "Integrity" reminds me of the photo of Walter Cunningham looking out of the Command Module window on Apollo 7.

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Chris Becke (aka BeckePhysics) @chrisbecke.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Some stars/planets identified

Same NASA image of solar eclipse viewed from Artemis II with Saturn, Mars, Venus and other stars identified.

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

This photo of the Moon fully eclipsing the Sun is a nice example of a coronagraph. Once the Moon blocks out the light from the Sun, you can then see the stars around you. I've processed this image as well to bring out the detail and ran it through a denoise app. images.nasa.gov/details/art0...

The Moon eclipsing the Sun as seen by the crew of Artemis II. Credit: NASA/martiandennis

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

This photo from Artemis II of the Earth setting behind the moon is simply stunning! I've processed it a slight bit to bring out more detail. images.nasa.gov/details/art0...

Gorgeous scene of the Earth setting behind the Moon, as shot by the crew of Artemis II Orion capsule "Integrity". Credit: NASA/martiandennis

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

As the crew of Artemis II goes behind the moon and loses radio contact for 40 mins, you can also relive the audio track of Apollo 13 as they go behind the moon for comparison. apolloinrealtime.org/13/

apolloinrealtime.org

Apollo 13 in Real Time

A real-time interactive journey through the third lunar landing attempt. Relive every moment as it occurred in 1970.

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

images.nasa.gov/details/art0... Image of the moon taken today by the astronauts in the Orion space capsule, named "Integrity". The "Orientale Basin" is clearly visible in this image. I've upscaled the image and sharpened it a little.

Image of the moon taken today by the astronauts in the Orion space capsule, named "Integrity". The "Orientale Basin" is clearly visible. Everything below the crater is the far side of the moon, which is the hemisphere that we don’t get to see from Earth, as the Moon rotates on its axis at the same rate that it orbits round us. I've upscaled the image from the website and sharpened it a little. Credit: NASA/martiandennis

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Reposted by Dennis

Gene J. Mikulka @genejm1017.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Via #NASA's Scientific Visual Studio: Here's a video of the simulated flyby expected by the Orion Spacecraft "Integrity." This is the video that has been played at a few of the press events. svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5536/

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Track their progress as they make their closest approach to the moon today! eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-s...

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Tony Bela - InfographicTony @infographictony.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

COUNTDOWN: 7 days until the launch window opens for SLS Artemis II - Here is your (unofficial) step-by-step infographic guide to the mission. Godspeed astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen and Team NASA.

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CatherineQ @catherineq.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

MECO confirmed. Oh my. So good. And… holy stage separation! #ArtemisII

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Gene J. Mikulka @genejm1017.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

There was this moment on Reid Wiseman's account from yesterday. #ArtemisII twitter.com/astro_reid/s...

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Less than 2 days before the launch of Artemis II. This NASA poster is giving me serious Project Hail Mary vibes. Be sure to tune in to the broadcast on launch day. plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-vi...

Artemis II poster of an astronaut walking in space with light trails behind that person. (Modified by me). Credit: NASA/martiandennis

Ref. https://images.nasa.gov/details/Artemis%20II%20crew%20poster%20virtual%20background

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Reposted by Dennis

Kate Marvel @drkatemarvel.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

My resignation letter

screenshot of a resignation letter expressing sadness at leaving NASA

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Reposted by Dennis

European Space Agency @esa.int · 27/02/2026

☀️🌑🛰️ 2026: The year we arrive at Mercury! After almost 8 years since its launch in 2018, BepiColombo is entering its most critical phase yet. It is about to end its interplanetary phase and initiate its Mercury approach.

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Happy 5th Landiversary of the Perseverance Rover! Shoutout to all of the EECAM engineers, past and present.

Selfie image of the Perseverance Rover on the surface of Mars. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

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Simeon Schmauß @stim3on.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Five years and counting!

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Daniel | ScienceSocks et al. @sciencesocks.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

[On the bench today ⚒️ #BehindTheScenes] Somewhere between here and Jupiter, #EuropaClipper is carrying an engraved plate with the waveforms of "water" in 103 languages. And here I am in the studio, putting those same waveforms onto a sterling silver pendant 😎 🔭🐡🧪🎨

A sterling silver Europa Clipper Vault Plate pendant held over a wooden bench pin, featuring engraved waveforms radiating from the center.

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

What does it feel like to drive along the rim of Jerezo crater on Mars? This animation using the Navcam images on the Perseverance rover will show you. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO2G...

youtube.com

Perseverance Rover’s View of Crater Rim Drive

YouTube video by JPLraw

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

The new NASA administrator Jared Isaacman visited the lab this past weekend to meet the folks. He spoke to everyone and took questions right after. He’s very well spoken and said all the right things.

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Perseverance selfie taken on Sol 1711 (Dec 12, 2025). NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/@martiandennis

Picture of the mast of the Perseverance rover taken on Sol 1711 with the Martian terrain behind it.

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Dennis @martiandennis.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

The first picture shows the master of the Golden Records that are installed on both Voyager I and II. The second is a page of the hand written field notes by Jack Parsons in January 1937.

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Reposted by Dennis

Hourly Cosmos @hourlycosmos.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

End of a Martian day on Kodiak Hill - Perseverance, sol 416 - From Thomas Appéré (thomasappere.bsky.social) - flic.kr/p/2ng3fYN

Mosaic of 4 pictures taken by Navcam Left camera aboard Perseverance rover on sol 416 (April 22th, 2022) at 3:52 pm Martian local time.

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Simeon Schmauß @stim3on.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

This photo from the Perseverance rover captured in early March, may be my favorite Mars image from this year. It shows Mars' smaller moon Deimos over the hills of the Nili Planum region in the dark skies before dawn. 🔭 Full res: flic.kr/p/2rwUwV7 Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Simeon Schmauß

A picture of Mars taken during astronomical twilight (the sun was 13° below the horizon). It shows a dimly lit reddish landscape with some hills at the horizon. Deimos, Mars' smaller moon shines with a small halo in the pale sky above.

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Simeon Schmauß @stim3on.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Last night, NASA's Perseverance rover looked up at the night sky once more, to capture interstellar #comet 3I/Atlas flying by the red planet. The distance was "only" 0.2 AU or 30 Mio km, far closer than the comet ever got to Earth. 🔭 #3IAtlas Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Simeon Schmauß

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Simeon Schmauß @stim3on.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

To any (mutual) space journos, I'm happy to answer a few questions about the 3I/Atlas images from Perseverance in the hope we can debunk some of the misinformation that is going around currently.

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Don Davis @ddavisspaceart.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

A recent vista from Mars obtained by the Perseverance Rover on its 1635th Martian day, or 'Sol', Clouds far above the eternal dust pall are unusually well shown in this afternoon view. This is a mosaic of two wide angle color Navcam images.

This mosaic of two wide angle photos from the Perseverance rover shows the Martian surface stretching into the distance beyond two foreground hills. The rover tracks can just be seen winding into the distance. In this view clouds are unusually well defined as they float well above the tan dust that eternally colors the Martian skies.
In the original photos the area near the Sun is 'burned out' by the limitations of the camera sensor. I have addressed this by manually painting over the overexposed areas to reconstruct something of the brightness contours as they probably would have appeared to a human observer. I have also 'warped' the lower corners to fill the rectangular format. Artist's prerogative :-)

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