Strange object found on Mars - The Orange Mane

Rock Chalk · 01-15-2005, 09:52 PM

http://space.com/missionlaunches/mar...ct_050113.html

NASA’s Opportunity Mars rover has come across an interesting object -- perhaps a meteorite sitting out in the open at Meridiani Planum. Initial data taken by the robot’s Mini-Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES) is suggestive that the odd-looking “rock” is made of metal.

The curious-looking object stands out in the parking-lot like landscape of Meridiani Planum.

“We're curious about it too. We have Mini-TES data on it now, and they suggest that it may actually be made of metal,” said Steve Squyres, lead scientist on the Mars Exploration Rover mission from Cornell University.

“So we are beginning to suspect that it may be a meteorite. I stress that this is very preliminary!”, Squyres told SPACE.com.

Opportunity has been busy at work inspecting entry debris -- hardware that fell to Mars during the robot’s entry, descent, and landing over a year ago.

Not too distant from the debris field, the odd-looking rock sits alone atop the sandy terrain.

Squyres cautioned that it is too early to identify the rock as a meteorite.

The next step by rover scientists is to carefully examine the object with Opportunity’s Instrument Deployment Device, or IDD. This robot arm is tipped with scientific instruments.

Once extended out to the object, the arm-mounted devices can study the object’s structure in great detail. The instruments on the IDD are the Microscopic Imager, the Mössbauer Spectrometer, the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer, and a Rock Abrasion Tool.

“We're going to look at it carefully with the IDD instruments next, and that should enable us to determine for sure what it is,” Squyres said.

-Slap- · 01-15-2005, 10:01 PM

What about that strange object they found in Uranus?

wabbit · 01-15-2005, 10:05 PM

Wouldn't it be real fun if the cameras creeped up closer & closer & closer until, clearly visible in bold print;

COORS

Maximus · 01-15-2005, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Slap-

What about that strange object they found in Uranus?

! Rep!

Atlas · 01-16-2005, 10:45 AM

How about a Giant Face of Al Davis

Bronx33 · 01-16-2005, 11:31 AM

I think its part of the chefs playoffs chances..........how it got there no one will ever know.

TheDave · 01-16-2005, 01:17 PM

Question for the group? What the hell are we doing pissing away money on mars? So far, to the best of my knowledge , we have had at least 2 multi million dollar R/C cars, and "God only knows how expensive" Weather Satellite either crash, become disabled or lost... So what is the running total up to know $500+ billion? And what do we have to show for it? A shiny, looks like it might be metal - rock...

So for my education, could someone please explain to me what we are gaining by "exploring" Mars?

-Slap- · 01-16-2005, 01:22 PM

Well, this Adminsistration always likes a nice pre-emptive strike.

Bronx33 · 01-16-2005, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDave

Question for the group? What the hell are we doing pissing away money on mars? So far, to the best of my knowledge , we have had at least 2 multi million dollar R/C cars, and "God only knows how expensive" Weather Satellite either crash, become disabled or lost... So what is the running total up to know $500+ billion? And what do we have to show for it? A shiny, looks like it might be metal - rock...

So for my education, could someone please explain to me what we are gaining by "exploring" Mars?

Posession is 9tenths of the the law.........

Rock Chalk · 01-16-2005, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDave

Question for the group? What the hell are we doing pissing away money on mars? So far, to the best of my knowledge , we have had at least 2 multi million dollar R/C cars, and "God only knows how expensive" Weather Satellite either crash, become disabled or lost... So what is the running total up to know $500+ billion? And what do we have to show for it? A shiny, looks like it might be metal - rock...

The 2 RVs didnt crash, malfunction, get disabled or become lost. In fact, they have far exceeded their design and are STILL transmitting data back to Earth. What we have to show for it is knowledge. Something that clearly escapes you. The chance for discovery. We have discovered that Mars was indeed a wet planet at one time which gives us hope of finding life outside this sphere we call home. A great discovery that will spurn new technologies like the Space program has been doing since its inception.

Quote:

So for my education, could someone please explain to me what we are gaining by "exploring" Mars?

Knowledge. I know its a strange word to you, but there it is.

TheDave · 01-16-2005, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlecRaenos

The 2 RVs didnt crash, malfunction, get disabled or become lost. In fact, they have far exceeded their design and are STILL transmitting data back to Earth. What we have to show for it is knowledge. Something that clearly escapes you. The chance for discovery. We have discovered that Mars was indeed a wet planet at one time which gives us hope of finding life outside this sphere we call home. A great discovery that will spurn new technologies like the Space program has been doing since its inception.

Knowledge. I know its a strange word to you, but there it is.

Easy space boy, don't think you need to take that question personal... So let me get this straight... $500+ Billion to find a shiny rock and learn that mars was a "wet" planet some Trillion+ years ago... WOW.. Obviously you impress easier than i do.

Let's see what other crazy things could we do with +500 Billion dollars... Hummmm well we could put the "Mars Budget" (not saying we should get rid of all of NASA) towards Cancer Research - Nah shiny rocks are much better than obliterating Cancer. Wait a minute what if that $ was used for research to help get us off the Fossil Fuel Merry-go-Round. No your right, Knowing there was once water on a dead planet is much more important. Sorry for asking such a dumb question

alkemical · 01-17-2005, 05:42 PM

some could argue the same about the war we were lied to about.

01-15-2005, 09:52 PM	#1
Rock Chalk Cheeky Bastards Laus Deo Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Backside of the Internet Posts: 29,942 Adopt-a-Bronco: Chris Harris	Strange object found on Mars http://space.com/missionlaunches/mar...ct_050113.html NASA’s Opportunity Mars rover has come across an interesting object -- perhaps a meteorite sitting out in the open at Meridiani Planum. Initial data taken by the robot’s Mini-Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES) is suggestive that the odd-looking “rock” is made of metal. The curious-looking object stands out in the parking-lot like landscape of Meridiani Planum. “We're curious about it too. We have Mini-TES data on it now, and they suggest that it may actually be made of metal,” said Steve Squyres, lead scientist on the Mars Exploration Rover mission from Cornell University. “So we are beginning to suspect that it may be a meteorite. I stress that this is very preliminary!”, Squyres told SPACE.com. Opportunity has been busy at work inspecting entry debris -- hardware that fell to Mars during the robot’s entry, descent, and landing over a year ago. Not too distant from the debris field, the odd-looking rock sits alone atop the sandy terrain. Squyres cautioned that it is too early to identify the rock as a meteorite. The next step by rover scientists is to carefully examine the object with Opportunity’s Instrument Deployment Device, or IDD. This robot arm is tipped with scientific instruments. Once extended out to the object, the arm-mounted devices can study the object’s structure in great detail. The instruments on the IDD are the Microscopic Imager, the Mössbauer Spectrometer, the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer, and a Rock Abrasion Tool. “We're going to look at it carefully with the IDD instruments next, and that should enable us to determine for sure what it is,” Squyres said.

01-16-2005, 01:17 PM	#7
TheDave Sauced... Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 15,120	Question for the group? What the hell are we doing pissing away money on mars? So far, to the best of my knowledge , we have had at least 2 multi million dollar R/C cars, and "God only knows how expensive" Weather Satellite either crash, become disabled or lost... So what is the running total up to know $500+ billion? And what do we have to show for it? A shiny, looks like it might be metal - rock... So for my education, could someone please explain to me what we are gaining by "exploring" Mars? Last edited by TheDave; 01-16-2005 at 01:23 PM..

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01-15-2005, 10:01 PM	#2
-Slap- Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 31,895	What about that strange object they found in Uranus?

01-15-2005, 10:05 PM	#3
wabbit Ring of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Aurora Posts: 5,449	Wouldn't it be real fun if the cameras creeped up closer & closer & closer until, clearly visible in bold print; COORS

01-16-2005, 10:45 AM	#5
Atlas Draft Defense Early&Often Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18,526	How about a Giant Face of Al Davis

01-16-2005, 11:31 AM	#6
Bronx33 lets go partner Rumpson Rocks Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lakewood,Colo Posts: 41,221 Adopt-a-Bronco: Woodyard	I think its part of the chefs playoffs chances..........how it got there no one will ever know.

01-16-2005, 01:22 PM	#8
-Slap- Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 31,895	Well, this Adminsistration always likes a nice pre-emptive strike.

01-17-2005, 05:42 PM	#12
alkemical Guerrilla Ontologist rorrim\|mirror Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Future Posts: 42,723 Adopt-a-Bronco: Prima Materia	some could argue the same about the war we were lied to about.