Image of Richard Leis, Jr.

Richard Leis, Jr.

Operations Specialist

HiRISE Operations Center

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ

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Primary Science Phase

The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera is exploring Mars in the highest resolution detail ever from orbit. From November 2006 through November 2008 - the Primary Science Phase of our mission - we will take about 10,000 images, or less than one percent of the surface of Mars. If everything continues to function well, then we will keep taking new images long after these first two years. Check out http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ and our blog at http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/HiBlog/ for the latest images and information.

Operations

I am an Operations Specialist for HiRISE focusing on downlink activities, such as downloading and processing images, leading image validation efforts, testing operations software, managing documents, writing Perl scripts, and participating in public outreach events.

EPO Participation

Upcoming Events

2008
  • April 11, 2008 (Friday): HiRISE Operations Center Tour - UA Elder Hostel Program
  • May 25, 2008 (Sunday): University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Event: Phoenix Mars Lander Landing Celebration

Past Events

2005
  • August 2005: Mars Mania I - HiRISE presentation for visitors to the Charles P. Sonett Space Sciences Building
2006
Image of Richard Leis, Jr.
  • March 10, 2006 (Friday), 1:00 - 4:00 pm: Mars Orbital Insertion (MOI) - helped describe events as they unfolded live for a public audience at UA's Kuiper Space Sciences Building, Room 308 | Article
  • April 08, 2006 (Saturday): Mars Mania II - HiRISE presentation for visitors to the Charles P. Sonett Space Sciences Building. Answered visitor questions in our lobby.
  • May 26, 2006 (Friday): Yuma Fourth Graders - My sister taught fourth grade in Yuma, Arizona during the 2005/2006 school year. She invited me to speak to her students and three other fourth grade classes on the last day of their week-long study of the planets. I showed each class a presentation about HiRISE and Mars, conducted a "What is a Pixel?" hands-on activity, and answered their (many) questions.
  • October 04, 2006 (Wednesday): h+ Meeting - Latest HiRISE Images and "Augmenting Humans Instead of Terraforming Mars"
  • October 21, 2006 (Saturday): Phoenix Mars Mission Open House
  • November 02, 2006 (Thursday): HiRISE Operations Center Tour - Prescott Tour
  • December 10, 2006 (Sunday): Congregation Anshei Israel - HiRISE presentation
2007
Image of framed HiRISE observation of Delta in Eberswalde.
2008
  • February 08, 2007 (Friday): HiRISE Operations Center Tour - UA Elder Hostel Program

Other Activities