Martian Soil in 3-D

NASA - JPL ^ | 1-16-04 | NASA

[Phil V.]

This image taken by the microscopic imager on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit shows the powdery soil of Mars in 3-D. It is the sharpest look yet at the surface of another planet. The microscopic imager is located on the rover's instrument deployment device, or "arm." . . .

This close-up look at a patch of martian soil is the sharpest image ever taken of another planet. The picture was captured by the microscopic imager located on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit's instrument deployment device, or "arm." Scientists liken the alien soil to clumpy cocoa powder. The upper left corner of the soil patch is illuminated by direct sunlight and thus appears brighter. The actual size of the patch is about 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) across.

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[Phil V.]

Nice try, but whoever photoshopped it . . .

Sorry . . . raw images direct from Mars . . . direct from NASA/JPL site . . . . Or you suggesting that NASA/JPL edits the pics before posting?

[SierraWasp]

Hey Phill!!! That's El Dorado Chysotile ASBESTOS!!!

We oughta open a bar up there! Whataya think we oughta name it?

Hemmmmm... Hawwwwwww... er, how 'bout the MARS BAR?

(Sorry to be so irreverent)

[Axenolith]

It appears that the soil in the sunlit portion is more smooth, or "deflated". That would bolster the frost heave theory, as the heaving material would probably sublimate (whether CO2 or H2O) and dissappear upon lighting and IR absorption and they lander shaded area would hold together for longer. Now, under that theory, it would simplify things if there is a subterreanian (and possibly renewable) source for the fluids to wick upward under cappilary action during warm periods.

That, BTW, would also create a nutrient and salt transport mechanism in the subsurface for any critters that might make the soil column home. The only downside is, unless they cycle dormant near surface with seasons or days, they would be below the frost depth, which is probably below the landers drilling\scooping capability.

[Phil V.]

I'll bet EID could find water up thar!!!

[battousai]

you could also try candy wrappers, gotta red and blue one works ok.. :)

[SierraWasp]

Yup! Get ol Harry Dunlop outa bed and send him up there to plumb the planet!!!

Loring Brunius could mine that asbestos till the cows came home!!!

Do ya spose there's enough grabity to ski on that stuff?

[Grut]

...Or you suggesting that NASA/JPL edits the pics before posting?

All I can tell you is that if I used Photoshop to insert a rock into that picture and did a really crappy job, it would look just like that rock does. It's not only that there's no shadow beside it, but the edges of the 'rock' are much more sharply defined than those of the other rocks; it's typical of what happens when you cut an object out of a larger picture and don't blur the edges a little before you paste it into a new background.

I dunno; maybe I'm wrong; or maybe NASA got hacked.

[Phil V.]

Goddammit, shut up 'bout asbestos of th' whole damned Mars mission will be tied up by the enviros!

[Phil V.]

The lack of shadow is due to (probably due to) the angle of inclination of the face of the rock being less than the angle of the sun above the horizon of Mars. The face is not "verticle" enough to cast a shadow.

[WorkingClassFilth]

It has been a long time since I had any soils classes, but isn't it possible that charged particles, like Bentonite clay, could produce structure like that in the photos? Aeolean (wind) erosion might have an effect due to varied density in the particle composition. Mars has a very thing atmosphere and may admit a very high number of 'micro' meteors with substantial velocity - could this kind of impact create a texture like that seen? As a kid, I collected some meteors over the course of a week in a bedsheet left outside and then combed with a magnet and the number was quite suprising. I don't know - just spinning wool...

[WorkingClassFilth]

"Wouldn't it sublimate at Martian pressure and temperatures?"

Yes.

[SierraWasp]

I'd settle for a transfer of their curse on CA to some location out of this world! I've often said we need to export EnvironMentalism. It's sure worn out it's welcome here!!!

[Phil V.]

Check out this stereo set.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[bonesmccoy]

thanks for the cool link.

It's been a while since I've been able to line up stereoscopic pics. JPL kept posting huge files that were too big to line up on my monitor.

I sure hope they start posting more pics and giving better updates.

Less than one week to go for Opportunity!

[Age of Reason]

I saw the same illusion. Like mouse paw prints.

Just you watch--those same tabloids that publish Elvis is alive stories and the face on mars pictures will have some new fun with these latest photos.

I can't wait to see what interpretations they'll dream up.

[Major_Risktaker]

Looks like coarse stucco to me.

Planet Stucco...

[quietolong]

bump so I can find those 3d glasses

[from occupied ga]

WOW! DIRT!

[RightWhale]

the fluids to wick upward under cappilary action

It's -42 here today. There is no liquid phase water on exposed surfaces except in the river near the power plant outlet (non-toxic, for those whose knee is twitching,) and there is no liquid wicking up. However, the gas phase of water is migrating. As long as the air is quiet hoar frost continues to build on all exposed surfaces. It can get several inches thick near the river after a couple weeks. The gas phase of water transitions to the solid, crystalline phase and vice versa very easily even at 40 below zero.