Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The Mars "moved rock" is evidence of the Universe's greatest game of "Hide and Seek" ... (Original Post) zbdent Jan 2014 OP
They still have no clue jakeXT Jan 2014 #1
Two likely scenarios frogmarch Jan 2014 #2
personally, I think it is evidence of Martian magical thyme Jan 2014 #3

frogmarch

(12,153 posts)
2. Two likely scenarios
Wed Jan 22, 2014, 05:13 PM
Jan 2014
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/20/tech/innovation/mars-mystery-rock/

snip:

The most likely scenario is that Opportunity flicked the rock with one of its wheels.

"We had driven a meter or two away from here, and somehow maybe one of the wheels, kind of, managed to spit it out of the ground, and have it slide to this position," Squyres said.

Alternatively, there could be a smoking hole in the ground nearby and the rock could be a piece of crater ejecta, or piece of matter spewn from the impact of a meteorite. Squyres doesn't think this is as likely as the idea that the rover displaced the rock, however.

Opportunity is now studying the mystery rock more extensively, making measurements and taking pictures. Its instruments have shown scientists that the "jelly" part is "like nothing we've ever seen before," Squyres said. It's very high in sulfur and magnesium, and it has twice as much manganese as has ever been seen in anything on Mars.

No one knows what that means.

"We're completely confused, we're having a wonderful time, everyone on the team is arguing and fighting," Squyres said.
Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»The Mars "moved rock...