NASA News Conference on Mars~~~ Live Thread

Fox | March 2 2004

[Dog]

NASA is to hold a news conference at 2 pm eastern announcing a major discovery/finding from the Rovers.

[Brett66]

One of the scientists saying that there are lifeforms that could live off of the sulfur found in the rocks and even hibernate during long dry periods.

[dmz]

didn't the 2 antenna get married there, ceremony pretty dull but the reception was great.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Speaking of catches, read # 85.

CG

[Carolinamom]

If calcium carbonate were found, would this not indicate the possibility of life forms?

[Sacajaweau]

GPR is wonderful but has limitations. I'm surprised they don't have some kind of metal detector onboard...or do they?

[Taylor42]

Hoffa, they found Jimmy Hoffa... Good for them...

[John H K]

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/spacecraft_instru_magarray.html

Magnet Arrays

Mars is a dusty place and some of that dust is highly magnetic. Magnetic minerals carried in dust grains may be freeze-dried remnants of the planet´s watery past. A periodic examination of these particles and their patterns of accumulation on magnets of varying strength can reveal clues about their mineralogy and the planet´s geologic history.

Each rover has three sets of magnetic targets that will collect airborne dust for analysis by the science instruments. One set of magnets will be carried by the Rock Abrasion Tool. As it grinds into Martian rocks, scientists will have the opportunity to study the properties of dust from these outer rock surfaces.

A second set of two magnets is mounted on the front of the rover at an angle so that non-magnetic particles will tend to fall off. These magnets will be reachable for analysis by the Mössbauer and APXS instruments. A third magnet is mounted on the top of the rover deck in view of the Pancam. This magnet is strong enough to deflect the paths of wind-carried, magnetic dust.

[brownsfan]

It really galls me that the news ninnies do not attach more importance to this newsworthy event.

Well, of course it isn't important. The underwear of Kobe Bryant's accuser and semen samples found therein are of much more importance then any findings on another planet.

Sadly, it is what is important to most people. Cable/network news gives the viewers what they want. If people would watch, they would show a test pattern for 24 hours. So, don't blame the news channels, blame your neighbors. Come to think of it, maybe this behavior is proof that life does NOT evolve!

[RightWhale]

they'll have to do a sample return mission in the future.

That is shortsighted but probably appropriate for geologists. The next thing should be to send a more comprehensive laboratory to Mars. For what it would take to get a gram of material back they could send all the instruments and drills they ever thought of--miniaturized and robotized; nuclear-powered--including organic lab equipment.

[Robe]

Why doesn't someone aske them about this......

I can't beleive we're the only ones who have seen it and have questions..

Crap, it's all over the web space/nut sites

[Diogenesis]

[NormsRevenge]

I hear you about wanting to find things. :-]

The feedback I saw last night was the pattern was "consistent" wth trilobyte-like appearance.

I agree with Brett that we need to maybe check thoroughly for fossil records, may be next go around.

This shot was a tease in a way, I was hoping they would provide some additional ones of these objects just to keep Cydoniaheads from foaming at the keyboards unnecessarily. :-}

[Miss Marple]

I think so. I am trying to remember chemistry from 30 years ago, so I could be wrong.

[Brett66]

Said they're going over to the "blueberry bowl" to determine the composition of the "bluberries" then they're going to another crater.....

[adam_az]

"Is it salt water or fresh water?"

I have no idea.... but those are pretty subjective terms, as even "fresh water" has some saline content.

[Sacajaweau]

Thanks John

[Joe Hadenuf]

Err, yes, at one time, not currently

Actually that's incorrect.

There could be large bodies of liquid water underneath the Martian surface. We just don't know at this point.

[RightWhale]

ESA has a fine instrument there. They will start mapping eventually.

[mabelkitty]

Easter Island and right next to it, a pyramid.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

LOL, so true. I think today however my antenna hasn't been picking up quite all of the stations.