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Mystery Mars haze baffles scientists
bbc ^
| Rebecca Morelle
Posted on 02/16/2015 5:24:45 PM PST by BenLurkin
A mysterious haze high above Mars has left scientists scratching their heads.
The vast plume was initially spotted by amateur astronomers in 2012, and appeared twice before vanishing.
Scientists have now analysed the images and say that say the formation, stretching for more than 1,000km, is larger than any seen before.
Writing in the journal Nature, the researchers believe the plume could be a large cloud or an exceptionally bright aurora.
However, they are unsure how these could have formed in the thin upper reaches of the Martian atmosphere.
Continue reading the main story Start Quote To begin with, I thought there was a problem with the telescope or camera End Quote Damian Peach
Astronomer
"It raises more questions than answers," said Antonio Garcia Munoz, a planetary scientist from the European Space Agency.
Around the world, a network of amateur astronomers keep their telescopes trained on the Red Planet.
They first spotted the strange plume in March 2012 above Mars' southern hemisphere.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
TOPICS: Astronomy
KEYWORDS: catastrophism; mars; maven; nasa; spaceexploration
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1
posted on
02/16/2015 5:24:45 PM PST
by
BenLurkin
To: BenLurkin
2
posted on
02/16/2015 5:27:06 PM PST
by
beethovenfan
(If Islam is the solution, the "problem" must be freedom.)
To: BenLurkin
3
posted on
02/16/2015 5:31:04 PM PST
by
Darksheare
(Those who support liberal "Republicans" summarily support every action by same.)
To: BenLurkin
Must be Freon, must be life to use Freon.
See what I did there? Typical NASA move.
4
posted on
02/16/2015 5:31:23 PM PST
by
hadaclueonce
(Ethanol is stupid.)
To: MuttTheHoople; 75thOVI; agrace; aimhigh; Alice in Wonderland; AndrewC; aragorn; aristotleman; ...
They say aurora, I say impact.
5
posted on
02/16/2015 5:33:26 PM PST
by
SunkenCiv
(Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
To: Darksheare
It’s obvious that Mars, like the Erf, has exceeded planetary boundaries.
6
posted on
02/16/2015 5:35:32 PM PST
by
PROCON
(Always give 100%---unless you're donating blood.)
To: BenLurkin
I couldn’t access it, but there’s a Dec 2014 article at the link, just below this one, called “Mars belches methane”. So...couldn’t it be methane? And wouldn’t it be prudent to have the EPA investigate and place restrictions on Mars? Cuz we have enough global warming of our own without Mars adding to it! /sarc
7
posted on
02/16/2015 5:37:07 PM PST
by
workerbee
(The President of the United States is PUBLIC ENEMY #1)
To: workerbee
“Mars belches methane.” Hope it doesn’t explode.
8
posted on
02/16/2015 5:40:34 PM PST
by
Sasparilla
(If you want peace, prepare for war.)
To: BenLurkin
Mars Rover burning rubber?
9
posted on
02/16/2015 5:41:20 PM PST
by
CodeToad
(Islam should be outlawed and treated as a criminal enterprise!)
To: BenLurkin
They’ve launched their landing crafts with the tripods inside.
The invasion is beginning.
10
posted on
02/16/2015 5:42:42 PM PST
by
RandallFlagg
(Vote fraud solution: Stake, Rope, Sugar and Bullet Ants.)
To: BenLurkin
Who the ___k CARES??
It’s another godamm planet so far away it will NEVEr matter!
11
posted on
02/16/2015 5:43:36 PM PST
by
Reverend Saltine
(Don't say, "the administration," or "the EPA"--say "OBAMA." Give him full credit)
To: Sasparilla
The Martians living below the surface dump their garbage gas. Nothing to see here. Move along.
12
posted on
02/16/2015 5:46:12 PM PST
by
MHGinTN
(Is it really all relative, Mister Einstein?)
To: PROCON
It’s why the Martians died off.
13
posted on
02/16/2015 5:53:01 PM PST
by
Darksheare
(Those who support liberal "Republicans" summarily support every action by same.)
To: BenLurkin
It’s Global Warming - only on it’s on Mars. Too many SUVs don’t cha know!
To: Darksheare
Well, they started it...
15
posted on
02/16/2015 6:03:30 PM PST
by
PROCON
(Always give 100%---unless you're donating blood.)
To: BenLurkin
16
posted on
02/16/2015 6:25:13 PM PST
by
Zeppo
("Happy Pony is on - and I'm NOT missing Happy Pony")
To: RandallFlagg
“This just in from Grover’s Mill, New Jersey....”
17
posted on
02/16/2015 6:27:47 PM PST
by
BenLurkin
(The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
To: BenLurkin
It's just an active Martian volcano Mons de Plume
18
posted on
02/16/2015 6:40:31 PM PST
by
mikrofon
(Astro BUMP)
To: BenLurkin
19
posted on
02/16/2015 7:55:01 PM PST
by
Damifino
(The true measure of a man is found in what he would do if he knew no one would ever find out.)
To: BenLurkin
Seriously, how do they think a dead planet with a frozen core and no magnetic field to speak of generates an aurora? It ought to be easy enough to determine if there even was a CME thrown thattaway.
20
posted on
02/16/2015 9:24:01 PM PST
by
SargeK
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