Just in time for the thanksgiving holiday, Space Science Reviews has released its special issue containing all the instrument papers for MSL, along with papers describing the mission’s overall goals, the landing site selection process, and the studies of the atmosphere that helped NASA stick the landing.  So this year while you wait for the turkey to cook, take a look at some of these papers and learn about the awesome laboratory that is exploring Mars and give thanks that we live at a time when such things are possible. I’m sure your family won’t mind once you tell them what interesting stuff you’re reading…