Unusual Looking Martian Rock

NONE | 1-9-04 | Orion78

[Orion78]

The original image from NASA is HERE

Location of Rock in Question

Close Up

[Orion78]

Hehe... Are you trying to post a picture of the WTC guy on Mars? If so, you must have missed my version that I posted back at the begining of the thread. I'll repost it for you.

[Orion78]

Thanks! =)

[Joe Hadenuf]

Great image!

[Orion78]

It does look like petrified wood or like others have said, petrified bone. I had a dream the night Spirit landed that the first picture returned showed a stand of petrified tree stumps. I am not saying this means anything, just wanted to share.

I am very pleased that the latest pictures show it is more than just a trick of light and shadow. If it had been, then my thread would have died and disapeared. Nothing like putting tons of effort into a thread that hits triple digit posts only to watch it go down the tubes. =)

[FireTrack]

Thanks, I sure wish NASA would announce when they're going to enlighten us on all these strange objects we're seeing.

I know they must be way ahead of us on this and the silence tends to make one think that the scientists at NASA are in shock.

[Hunble]

Oh, I agree. If I was a NASA scientist reading this thread, I would be in shock also.

Good grief, it is a shadow!

[Hunble]

Do not get too "proud" about a thread that keeps going.

Eventually, as the rover explores it's environment, your statements will eventually look rather foolish.

Then, we will hold you accountable for your statements and failure to follow the most basic of scientific principles.

Until then, I have enjoyed the laugh.

[FireTrack]

"Good grief, it is a shadow!"

Surely you can forgive a little foolish conjecture? If not, perhaps you should find another thread where there are others with little imagination as yourself.

[LPM1888]

You have done excellent work with this thread!

It appears that Spirit may have found far more than just signs of water. That's probably why NASA isn't commenting more than they have. They won't say anything until they have triple checked themselves in as many ways as possible. Given the limitations of the Spirit's onboard equipment it's going be extremely interesting to see what can be proven.

Premonitions can be eerie!.

Keep up the great work.

[Orion78]

Ok, why don't you explain how I have not followed the most basic of scientific principles, and also while you are at it, why don't you explain which of my statements will look rather foolish. Or are you afraid to stick your neck out?

[Orion78]

Also, when you get a chance, why don't you point out what is creating this rectangle shaped "shadow"..

[Hunble]

Now Orion78, do I need to insult your intelligence?

What side of the image are the shadows being cast? Left or Right?

That "square hole" is a shadow, and that fact can not be disputed.

What is so unusual about a rocks (notice, most of the Mars rocks are rather sharp and blocky) casting a square shadow?

Why is this image considered unusual?

Curious minds would like to know...

[FireTrack]

Btw, those are some great images on your profile!

[Hunble]

Square and blocky is what I expected to find on Mars.

What is interesting is the rounded rock to the left of that image. How was that rock rounded?

[LPM1888]

Orion78 has done great work in posting and enlarging the Spirit pictures and allowing all of us to attempt to analyze the pictures. If you have a different opinion of the analysis then, by all means, post it. But if you are here to just be a disruptive jerk then go jerk somewhere else. So far you haven't impressed anyone with your intelligence or wit, but unless you post an attempt at an analysis your ignorance and intent will be displayed clearly to everyone.

[LPM1888]

Have you looked at the images in post #369? If so please explain what is casting the shadow. I await your explanation or apology to Orion78.

[Hunble]

Sir, I also enjoy and study the images that Orion78 does provide. If anything, I am rather upset that NASA has not done a better job of providing those images to all of us.

Orion78 has an interesting point-of-view, but I have not accepted his interpretations as factual data points for scientific debate.

Sorry, I guess that I have not been programed by ABC/CBS/NBC and CNN on how properly think yet.

[Orion78]

Thank you. I am fascinated as well. Like AppauledAtAppeasementConservat I am a space junkie and I am very interested in geology so when you put the two together... !

I am sure that even if they don't find water or evidence of past water on Mars there is still much we can learn from the rock record. Even finding layers that are created by volcanic ash and dust deposits will tell us many things.

I have always thought that if we could study the geologic time line of Mars, that we would find correlations between Earth and Martian climates. I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that Mars has gone through "ice ages" at the same time as the Earth. Also, Martian geology combined with Earth and Lunar geology could tell us much about cratering. For example, was the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs just a rogue rock, or was it part of a larger cratering event that effected other bodies in the inner solar system.

Anyway, thank you for the encouraging comments, and I have added you to my Update Ping List.

Orion78

[NittanyLion]

Post #369 appears to show that this is not the result of a shadow. The sun is pretty clearly coming from the other direction, yet the same formation is still visible.

FWIW, I don't have the slightest clue what this could be.

[man of Yosemite]

From the way the shadows are facing on the other rocks, it could be just a raised surface casting its shadow on itself.