MARS OUTCROP SOURCE OF TINY SPHERES

JPL ^ | sol 13, opportunity, mars | JPL

[Far Right Field]

Dunno... IMO, vulcanism is a hard sell, I've seen lots of pumice. And I have a couple of real nice samples of ejecta from Shasta, and while it is noticably red/orange in color, crumbly and porous, it's nothing like these.

That is true, but I have not seen any color image of the rock outcrop, yet. However given the light color, the poor consolidation, the spherules, and the nearness of a volcano some distance away, it seemed to be a logical source. This appears to be a tufaceous conglomerate (don't hold me to that) with those spherules being deposited in an ash fall on standing water, water evaporates, leaving the conglomerate, then subsequent dust covering the conglomerate. I have no clue as to the time it took for this section to be laid down, but we know that after the conglomerate layer, there was an impact that penetrated the conglomerate layer(s)then massive dust and sand storms that covered the layer and the crater. That is just the visible evidence. Sure would like to see the Moessbauer stuff. BTW if it comes back carbonate stuff, I will retract everything I just said.

[doodad]

That was it thanks again.

[doodad]

Whew, I need to jump in an asteroid shower! Keep me posted. LOL

[Phil V.]

large image . . .

[LibWhacker]

Y'know, NASA seriously needs an "Ask NASA" webpage, where those of us out here in the real world can ask questions about what we're seeing in these pics.

I get the distinct impression NASA is definitely seeing this stuff, too, explaining it in-house to their own satisfaction, and then not thinking to share it with all the interested space buffs out here (many of whom are noticing the same stuff, asking the same questions, but who don't have the benefit of ever getting an answer).

[Darksheare]

Uh oh.
Time for "Darksheare's Standard Denial Of Involvement" right about now.
I deny knowledge or involvement, it's not my fault, I didn't break it/it was already on fire by the time I got there, the evil squirrels made me do it.
/ joke

Okay, that out of the way, It would be interesting to see what color those are, and just how big they really are.

[Bernard Marx]

If you go I need some more.

I'm hoping to head up that way when the snow melts. If I can find and collect some nice xls I'll be more than happy to cut your wife some new earring stones. Were they orange or reddish-orange?

[Fitzcarraldo]

I get the distinct impression NASA is definitely seeing this stuff, too, explaining it in-house to their own satisfaction, and then not thinking to share it with all the interested space buffs out here (many of whom are noticing the same stuff, asking the same questions, but who don't have the benefit of ever getting an answer).

Rest assured, they are looking at this stuff. At least they are putting out the raw images for us to view! It's fun to speculate on what we are seeing. They are probably afraid to say anything, for fear of being wrong...

[Indie]

3 of the larger spheres appear to be unsupported from beneath by the sand. A clear shadow is underneath the edge. [stalk?]

[Erik Latranyi]

They are probably afraid to say anything, for fear of being wrong...

I'm sticking with my original guess that it is some form of precipitation, either water or CO2.

[LibWhacker]

If you have time, doodad, how do those little sphericles form?

[Indie]

A force of some kind has pushed one of them from right to left and then down into the sand.[just to left of bottom center]

[LibWhacker]

They are probably afraid to say anything, for fear of being wrong...

Never stopped me, lol! Now I see why the buggers wouldn't hire me. ;-)

[doodad]

I can point you to the spot. They are light to medium red. Not sure they are spessartine, but the unit was described that way. Don't want them cut, they were rolled just great and I put them in two hoops to hold them in sort of a cage. I will pay and I have some poorer samlples left if you want to see what I have. Freepmail me. LIke this:

[doodad]

Oolites are small (1/4 - 2mm), concentrically layered, spherical grains composed of primary carbonate materials or replacement phases. Oolites form where gentle or periodic wave action in warm marine waters allow carbonate precipitation on all sides of a grain of sand or shell fragment.

Not my words. The Ph and CO3 solution density drive the reaction.

[Indie]

The ball on the right almost appears as if sublimation is taking place. The one on the upper left is not as far along but has started to lose its shape as well.

[LibWhacker]

Thank you.

[doodad]

The ball on the right almost appears as if sublimation is taking place.

But if that was the case they would evaporate out of the matrix and leave holes in the rock. I see what you mean about the wear though. I suspect wind and contact with other grains is wearing them out.

[djf]

I've seen some strange stalactite type formations. Some kind of precipitation type event? That would explain the roundness.