NASA Scientist Sees Possible Mat of Martian Microbes

Space.com ^ | 09 August 2004 | Leonard David

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Let the games begin. Again

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ping

[djf]

There are tons of pics that have what seem to be primitive forms. Especially the spiral type item, and things that look very similar trilobites to me.

I am certain there are exising microbes up there.

[NormsRevenge]

Mars Rover Opportunity Makes 'Significant' Finding

This old thread, amongst many posted, has a couple of shots that originally sparked a lot of speculation on what are all those darn things anway.;-)

Like..

Charlie Flats

[GeronL]

excuse me?? does he have any scientific basis at all for this?? I did not read the rest BTW

[LibWhacker]

"The resolution of the Microscopic Imager sort of falls apart right when it starts to get interesting," McKay said.

LOL, and so it shall always be! Nature is coy. You've heard of Moore's Law? Call this LibWhacker's Law, if I may be so presumptuous: The imagers of the future, which will be sent along on our robotic planetary spacecraft of the future, WILL NEVER be good enough, no matter how good they are.

Not that I'm outraged by that as a taxpayer. I'm bemused by it, lol!

Obviously, there's nothing we can do now but SEND UP ANOTHER SPACECRAFT AT GREAT EXPENSE TO THE TAXPAYER!!! :-)

[Nachoman]

I saw the virgin Mary in that second photo!

[Dallas59]

Could be the soil is powdery and fine that it acts like fluid when touched.

[DB]

This sure does look like water to me:

What do you guys think?

Here's the source: http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/opportunity/20040716a/16-JF-02-crop-B170R1_br.jpg

[searchandrecovery]

Microbial mat

Might be sea monkeys. Just add water.

[AndrewC]

The picture is in false color.

Cross your eyes and you can see a 3-D image of the upper right of your image.

[DB]

I'm a failure at that "crossing your eyes" thing...

[AndrewC]

I'm a failure at that "crossing your eyes" thing...

You might try this.

• Center yourself on the line between the images and keep your eyes level.
• Put your right index finger on your nose and try to focus on it. (don't try too hard)
• Slowly move the finger away from your nose, while trying to focus on it.
• As you concentrate on the finger notice the crossed image of the background.
• At a certain range you will get a center 3-D image. At that point transfer your concentration to the image.

I see the image when my finger is about 5 inches away and the screen is about 24 inches away. It's worth a try.

[DB]

I tried what you suggested...

I get either 3 or 4 images with vertical separation lines with my finger in the middle. I can't get the two to merge. I tried it at several different distances (from a few inches to about three feet). No go... I tried it before also when the stereo images were first being posted. Same problem.

Thanks for trying to help though.

[AndrewC]

I get either 3..

3 is what you want. The middle one is the 3-D image.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

Looks like fusilli pasta to me, but I'm on this low-carb thing, so maybe my memory's hazy.

[DB]

Oh...

Well...

At least I understand now.

I can't keep the three without my finger in the middle... I can't hold that view without it. If I drop my finger (even slowly) they merge back to two. I also have to be about 30" back and can't see well enough to make much out in the pictures.

Drain bamage I guess...

[ovrtaxt]

I think I saw Elvis.

[ovrtaxt]

Any fluid, such as wind, will do that.

[ovrtaxt]

Nah, that doesn't work at all. I just end up shooting a bird at myself and getting all dizzy.