First pictures of Mars Rover (Opportunity) "trenching" . . . comments/speculation encouraged

NASA - JPL ^ | 2-16-2004 | NASA/JPL

[Phil V.]

Comments/speculation?

stereo strip of trench . . .

[dr_who_2]

It's the polymer they use to make those kiddie pools out of.

[ClintonBeGone]

The US Government pays $3 billion dollars to do what my cat does in 2 minutes . . . for free.

[harrowup]

Looks like caliche to me. Make sense to you, Bert?

[ClintonBeGone]

If you sit back and stare at the middle of that picture, I swear you'll see YOGI BEAR.

[ClintonBeGone]

Looks like caliche to me.

Caliche or someone spilled the confectionary sugar.

[thoughtomator]

It's definitely not a full deck, that's for sure.

[Old Professer]

Broadband is a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Polybius]

Ooops! Have just been severely chastized by the posting police so will now confine my comments to a more scientific nature in keeping with the guidelines established by the posting police. Sir, Yes SIR!

Would that happen to be by someone named after a part of a buffalo's anatomy?

[Phil V.]

My first take on the "white" was that it was simply compacted soil reflecting more light. But additional pics seem to indicate that the wheel really has scratched up a different material . . . likely similar to the exposed rock on the the crater wall. It's just FUN to guess and throw stuff against the wall. It may in fact be the stuffing of MARS BARS!

[CommandoFrank]

Why does the picture of Mars from the rover look round?

That is the edge of Mars. You must be careful or you'll fall off the planet...

[Imal]

"So that's where they buried Jimmy Hoffa. Those clever bastards."

LOL! My first thought, too. Deranged minds think alike, I guess.

[Phil V.]

. . . it could be spodumene, a crumbly gabbro, muscovite reflecting sunlight, calcite, gypsum...auggh!

Or fiberous asbestos . . . in which case the EPA will demand a MANNED mission to mitigate the hazards.

[Lando Lincoln]

The guys drivin' the darn thing is a Brett Favre fan ...#4 carved in th Mars soil.

Lando

[Tunehead54]

So where are the 3D pics? I ordered the hole dam fambly a pear and all of of sudden NO 3D pics! I am series.

---

I want my money back! ;-)

[razorback-bert]

Limestone and sand=oil!

Call Chaney.

[AndrewC]

Big version

[Aracelis]

I can't take any more of this suspense. Grabbing my rock hammer and heading to Mars...

[BenLurkin]

Are those all igneous and metamorphic or is there a chance there may be sedimentary rocks on Mars?

[Aracelis]

We simply do not have enough information at this point. Hematite can form under a variety of conditions terrestrially...but on Mars...? We need to know the assemblages of other minerals in the area. And remember, if we discover that this particular formation was created non-aqueously, it DOES NOT MEAN that water did not flow freely on Mars...only in this one place.

[Aracelis]

BTW..."sedimentary" does not imply "water erosion". Wind does a darned good job too all by itself.