Update - The rock abrasion tool on Spirit drilled the first human-made hole in a rock on Mars . . .

NASA - JPL ^ | 02-07-2004 | NASA/JPL

[Phil V.]

SPIRIT UPDATE: The rock abrasion tool on Spirit drilled the first human-made hole in a rock on Mars…EVER! - sol 34, Feb 06, 2004

"The RAT performed beyond our expectations," beamed Steve Gorevan, of Honeybee Robotics, New York, lead scientist for the rock abrasion tools on both rovers. "With the docile cutting parameters we set, I didn't think that it would cut this deep. In fact, when we saw virtually a complete circle, I was thrilled beyond anything I could have ever dreamed. Following up that glorious circular brushing - it's like back-to-back homers."

This image, taken by Spirit's panoramic camera shows the circular, 2.65millimeter hole that will be further examined by the microscopic imager in the coming sols.

Although Gorevan and his team took a few moments to celebrate, they have already begun thinking about making more holes. The rock outcrop that Opportunity is heading toward has had the RAT team salivating since it was first revealed. With the first successful drilling under their belts, they are anxious to sink their teeth in again.

[Phil V.]

The round, shallow depression in this image resulted from history's first grinding of a rock on Mars. The rock abrasion tool on NASA's Spirit rover ground off the surface of a patch 45.5 millimeters (1.8 inches) in diameter on a rock called Adirondack during Spirit's 34th sol on Mars, Feb. 6, 2004. The hole is 2.65 millimeters (0.1 inch) deep, exposing fresh interior material of the rock for close inspection with the rover's microscopic imager and two spectrometers on the robotic arm. This image was taken by Spirit's panoramic camera, providing a quick visual check of the success of the grinding. The rock abrasion tools on both Mars Exploration Rovers were supplied by Honeybee Robotics, New York, N.Y.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell

[Monty22]

""The RAT performed beyond our expectations," "

John Kerry?

[Phil V.]

If you'd like to be on or off this MARS ping list please FRail me

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. . . meanwhile back at the Opportunity site the whole world is abuzz over the mystery of the spheres . . . !!!!

Microscopic Imager Non-linearized Full frame EDR aquired on Sol 14 of Opportunity's mission to Meridiani Planum at approximately 11:41:00 Mars local solar time, Microscopic Imager dust cover commanded to be CLOSED. NASA/JPL/Cornell/USGS View Full Image

[Johnny_Cipher]

Although Gorevan and his team took a few moments to celebrate, they have already begun thinking about making more holes.

Sounds like me when I got that new DeWalt cordless drill for Christmas this year.

[Dog]

Martian Mushrooms?

[js1138]

Is that you, Pacman?

[Wally_Kalbacken]

You have to love these JPL folks. The rest of the world is jawing about Janet Jackson's breast or Kobe Bryant, or some other distraction of the moment - and these folks are getting it done. Bravo!

[Brett66]

Wow! I haven't seen those spheres yet. Very interesting.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Speaking of John Kerry and the "where are the WMDs?" comments from the Demonrats:

Some serious reading:

PRESIDENT CLINTON VIDEO, December 16, 1998 Sadaam has nuclear arms, poison gas/bio weapons.

Statement of Senator John D. Rockefeller IV - On the Iraq Resolution - October 10, 2002

Remarks of Senator John Kerry on Iraq | October 09, 2002 |

Larry Elder: Were we misled? (about Iraq's WMD)

I need to add the Master list on Kerry:

John Kerry- some selected, informative links... compiled by Backhoe

[In_25_words_or_less]

Sounds like me when I got that new DeWalt cordless drill for Christmas this year.

Judging from how long it took to get mine and how much I see them on DIY shows, everybody got one. =)

[varon]

Although Gorevan and his team took a few moments to celebrate, they have already begun thinking about making more holes.

OMG, when Mr. & Mrs. John Q. Martian come gathering rocks for their rock garden and see all them holes, are they gonna be pi**ed or what? ;-)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for the picture!

[pabianice]

The Sierra Club has filed an injunction to stop it...

[John Jorsett]

Did it file the proper Environmental Impact Report first?

[Viking2002]

Kidney stones?

[okie01]

They look "fuzzy", like tennis balls. Even to the seams...

[prion]

Wow! Those spheres are microscopic images? They look like electron microscopy. Did they take a field one-of-those?

[lonevoice]

Awesome!

BTW, a question from the non-scientific peanut gallery. I've seen a lot of posts bemoaning the fact that NASA's pictures aren't in color, but I haven't seen an explanation for why they're not. Anyone?

[satan]

If only Rover could squirt some water on these spores and watch them blossom.

[spokeshave]

They look like albino dingleberries