It seemed that most activities today were PR related, although lots of other things were accomplished as well. But first I'd like to talk about perceptions and expectations, and how we are all blind in some fashion.

When we first arrived at the MDRS, we were taken around by members of the previous crew and shown how all the systems worked. The previous night the main generator had failed, and they were using a gasoline powered backup generator to provide power. The backup was a commercial unit manufactured by Generac, in the 7000 Watt class. These generators are generally of the same configuration, a gasoline motor connected to an AC generator, a couple of circuit breakers, and outlets for 220 and 110 VAC. I have a generator at home almost identical, except that provides less power.

When we were shown how to stop, refill, and restart the generator, it was at night. The person showed us the stop/on switch, the breakers, the points to fill it with gasoline and oil. Then he turned on the switch, and pulled the rope starter to get it going. It was just like the one I have at home, so I thought I knew all there was to know.

A week passes, and we have settled into a routine of twice a day stopping the generator, letting it cool to reduce the risk of fire, checking the oil level, filling it with gas, then restarting it. This morning Jody happened to come out with me to start the generator (we normally shut it down for the night). He asked me if this generator had electric start. I said no. the he pointed to the battery and the wires leading to the starter motor. I looked at it, and noticed something I had seen many times before but failed to register. The wire on the negative side of the battery was not connected. I had seen this for a week, but never questioned that this generator did not have an electric start.

We connected the wire and pushed the starter button (again, I had been seeing this button all week), but nothing happened. Figuring that the battery was dead because it had not been charging, I started the generator with the pull rope. This evening, after the shutdown and fill process, I tried the electric start. It worked like a champ.

It is well known in psychology that when we form expectations of the world around us, that is, build a mental model of what we think will happen, we tend to ignore evidence that doesn't reinforce our expectations, and actively seek evidence that does. I had been shown that the generator used a pull starter. I had one at home just like it. I knew all there was to know about this generator. But I ignored the obvious signs like a battery and a bright red wire connecting it to the starter motor. And I pulled that rope many times to start that generator. If I had kept myself open to the world around me, I wouldn't have had to do so much extra work. Fortunately I have teammates that do keep their eyes open, and help me when I need it.

Last night we were informed that a film team from the Discovery Channel Canada would be coming by next Thursday to shoot some video. This morning Jody and I went scouting, looking for scenery that might be interesting to the film crew. We went first to a place call Lith Canyon, which had been recommended by previous crews as a do not miss sight. As soon as I saw it, I thought this would make a great backdrop to show what Mars explorers might encounter: strange and wonderful landscapes, sheer cliffs, and deep cuts into the red rocks and regolith of Mars. I hope the producer feels the same.

Also today the University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History hosted a Mars Discovery Day. A webcam link and realtime chat were set up, and the crowds at the museum were able to see the activities inside the Hab and ask questions of the crew directly. The feedback was very positive, and we certainly had fun doing it.

Along with scouting out locations and setting up webcams, the geeks of the crew, Kim, Derek, and Tim, spent time fixing the MUSK observatory, a remotely controlled Celestron optical telescope enclosed in a small dome that sits on a ridge about 100 meters from the Hab. As I write this they are out there now, putting the final touches on the equipment. We hope to capture images of Jupiter tonight.

I hope so. When I went out to refill the generator tonight, the temperature was mild and the sky was cloudless. Out here in the desert, there are LOTS of stars. Tim, who lives and works on Long Island, NY, said he had never seen a sky like that. I consider myself fortunate that I live far enough out in the country that I can see skies like this every night.