Unusual Looking Martian Rock

NONE | 1-9-04 | Orion78

[Orion78]

The original image from NASA is HERE

Location of Rock in Question

Close Up

[Charles Henrickson]

Super close-up view inside the hole:

[kingu]

Looks like a shadow to me as well... Besides, if you tossed a explorer vehicle at Earth, aiming for a desert space - what would be the chances of finding evidence of technology? Virtually zero?

[ALASKA]

I'd have to agree with the swamp gas theory.

[uglybiker]

Oh great! Zillions of taxpayer dollars spent to go to Mars and we land on the outskirts of Bedrock!

[kingu]

Poor Hoagland, his website just got blasted by Freepers.

[doug from upland]

It does look interesting.

[Charles Henrickson]

He's dead, Jim.

[cyborg]

Bedrock looks like Southern Arizona

[Prime Choice]

You are suggesting it is probably just a shadow then? I do agree, on closer inspection it is not exactly rectangular on the top.

A shadow most likely, with a remote possibility that it's a different rock type embedded in the larger rock. Won't be able to tell until we get a picture at a different time of day to rule out a shadow.

[microgood]

It does look a lot like the rock next to it. Good luck finding out and let us know.

[martin_fierro]

My bad.

[Orion78]

I only noticed the rock after downloading the full resolution TIFF and zooming in using Photoshop.

I also noticed the stratagraphic lines you are refering to. When I did I was very very excited, thinking this could be evidence of water, but after I calmed down a few minutes later, I realized they could also be from lava flows or wind blown layers as well.

I can't wait until they get the rover onto the surface.

[Orion78]

I don't think it is technology. If I had to guess, that would be my last choice, because as you said, what are the odds. I just found it intersting and very un-natural looking. Assuming it is a hole, and not just a shadow, I thought I would toss it out there in hopes a geologist freeper could lend some insight to what kind of natural processes could form such a evenly shaped hole.

[Orion78]

Agreed, a picture from a different time of day would be the best way to tell if it is a shadow or not. I am in the process of looking at the 3D panorama and black and white views from previous days to see if I can determine anything that way.

[Orion78]

Thanks, I am not going to hold my breath waiting for a reply from NASA though. If they do email back, I will post it here ASAP and ping anyone who is interested.

[bolobaby]

Dude - ever been to NH? Just think about "The Old Man of the Mountain." The LATE Old Man, but you get the idea.

Sometimes random rocks look like stuff. Like clouds.

[uglybiker]

Arid-zona is alot warmer than Noo Yawk is right now. ;-)

[cyborg]

I agree! 20F outside...

[Graymatter]

That's an institutional toilet seat, of course. They go up automatically.

[Mentos]