NASA Briefing: NASA Images Suggest Water Still Flows in Brief Spurts on Mars

NASA ^ | 6 December 2006

[kinsman redeemer]

I must emphasize: my "HUMBLE" opinion.

I have some experience with geology - a little more with photo interpretation. Put these tow together and you get a very limited understanding - just a perception. That's all.

[epluribus_2]

couldn't it just be an impact from a (big) iceball that melted then evaporated?

[epluribus_2]

martians irrigate with a redder substance, IIRC from WOTW.

[kinsman redeemer]

It appears to be on a steep slope. It appears to be in a crater. I am just guessing here.

Furthermore, - if water: then why is the pattern more of a delta ?- downslope, I would expect to see confluence of the tributaries. I see the opposite.

I think NASA wants (needs?) something spectacular and stimulating.

[brownsfan]

"They farm out programs to universities and aerospace companies, which is where biologists might be found."

It seems to me that employing a large number of biologists at NASA would be like having your African Safari guide meet you at your home in the US.
You have to get there, and then have something of interest before a biologist becomes key. Sure, they could help you refine your search, but if you don't have the hardware/systems people, there is no search. First things first. NASA is a punching bag lately, I see no reason to beat them up over such a point.

[kinsman redeemer]

It could have been a "small" impact that initiated the slide. Otherwise you might see some ejecta from the impact.

Maybe.

[Unmarked Package]

"IMHO - you are looking at a slide on a talus slope. Nada mas."

They discussed this possibility at length in response to a question by a reporter from the New York Times. In summary, they conclude it's not likely to be a dry slide because; 1) previous observations of disturbed or displaced surface material on Mars invariably produce regions darker than the surrounding area, and 2) dynamic analysis of the structure of the flow strongly indicate a fluid was involved in the process.

[Raymann]

I don't think so, if it were unoxidized iron that would mean the earth on top was pretty compact. If it slid down then it would not have crumbled like that to form those splinter streams. The slope isn't that steep, the material would have to be the consistency of sand or less to flow like that.

[bd476]

RightWhale wrote: "We could probably dig that number out of Google. There are very few. Most NASA staff would be hardware or system management and scientists. Scientists would be astronomers and geologists, maybe a few biologists. NASA itself has about 30,000 on staff. They farm out programs to universities and aerospace companies, which is where biologists might be found."

RightWhale, without a numerical breakdown on the occupations of all of NASA's employee roster including the number of

• geologists,
• astrophysicists,
• design engineers,
• mechanical engineers,
• astronomers,
• computer techs,
• computer programmers,
• astronauts,
• astronauts in training,
• physicians,
• electrical engineers,
• physicists,
• mechanics,
• research and development staff,
• administrative staff,
• clerical staff,
• security,
• media relations staff and
• other support staff, etc.

it becomes extremely difficult to make a judgment call that NASA is deplete in one or another field of expertise or occupation.

[kinsman redeemer]

Thank you. I am not convinced by the "we never saw that kind of color change" argument - alone. We are learning more all the time.

What is "dynamic analysis of the structure of the flow?" If that means the dynamics of flow and the resulting structure - then I'd ask, "Why does it appear to be a distributary on a downhill slope? " It doesn't appear to reach a flat area - atleast not from a monoscopic view of the image.

Please - I am only speculating here - I hope you understand.

[Rutles4Ever]

According to the media:

Proof of life

Not proof of life...

[Defiant]

Are they sure this isn't a closeup of the inside of Robert Byrd's mouth? Sure looks like his teeth and gums.

[SengirV]

Well done

[verum ago]

IMHO - you are looking at a slide on a talus slope. Nada mas. Unexposed material is now exposed; it is unweathered and unoxidized and brighter in appearance. It is probably high in iron.

I'm not going to pretend to know much about geology, but (a few IMHO's here) Mar's atmosphere is primarily CO2-- there should be essentially no oxidation taking place, meaning that the inside and outside of rocks and and the tope layer and inner body of a talus slope should be basically chemically identical (and therefore the same color). Also, the article notes that the tracks left by the Rovers, whirlwinds, and the interiors and ejecta of new craters have all been pretty consistently darker than the surounding, undisturbed material.

[kinsman redeemer]

BEST post I have ever seen!

That is the best observation I have seen on the subject.

THANKS - VERY much!

[dfwgator]

How long until somebody is selling Martian water on EBay?

[steve86]

I agree -- Post Hall of Fame. I just logged in to concur!

[kinsman redeemer]

Okay, then.

I give up. Being overwhelmed by facts and opinions of professionals, it is good to resign one's fallacious position and learn from the experience.

[RightWhale]

NASA does have some biologists on staff. For one thing, there is considerable work to be done developing spacecraft that will support life. Sometimes they get life in there that they don't want or need such as the stuff that was eating porthole glass in the Mir. Biologists work on that, too. They will need to learn how to grow food on the moon and on Mars and maybe on their spacecraft. Biologists, again.

[bd476]

kinsman redeemer wrote: "I must emphasize: my "HUMBLE" opinion.

I have some experience with geology - a little more with photo interpretation. Put these two together and you get a very limited understanding - just a perception. That's all."

That's valid, Kinsman Redeemer. Personally I like to hear people's opinions, even from those with little to no experience, because often the simplest question, theory or disagreement can lead to a better answer.

Sometimes it can be difficult to accept photos and scientists' interpretations of photos as absolute evidence just for the simple fact that scientists have been known to make mistakes.

Further, no question should be considered a dumb question. Questions can lead to contemplation, perhaps more study and possibly a new answer.