Images of Mars -- Part Three

Swampcat · Mar 11, 2006

From Spirit, Sol 773 (L2, L5 & L7 filters). Full size image (3421x1926, 987kb) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

exoscientist · Mar 11, 2006

Another gorgeous image swampcat. Thanks, Bob Clark <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Swampcat · Mar 11, 2006

Thanks. I'm not much on the science (though I enjoy the discussions and learn a lot of interesting stuff), but Mars is such a fascinating place visually that I never get tired of looking at it. Maybe it's just the weird sky color <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />. Anyway, here's another one from Spirit, Sol 774 (L2, L5 & L7 filters). Full size image (3686x1106, 771kb) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

exoscientist · Mar 13, 2006

Jon said: "I don't see as yet any conclusive evidence for water forming the sediments of Home Plate as yet, or the Home Plate feature itself. " I saw this on the MarkCarey.com/mars forum: 3D of brushed rock with yellow soil at base of homeplate, Gusev crater, Mars. Taken by Spirit February 14, 2006. http://www.flickr.com/photos/hortonheardawho/105427976/ Click on the zoom button to see the most detailed view of the image. The image gives the impression of a material that flowed and then later solidified. - Bob Clark <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

JonClarke · Mar 13, 2006

" The image gives the impression of a material that flowed and then later solidified. " Not to a geologist. To a rockhead it looks like differential erosion of a slight weathered layered rock. Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

rlb2 · Mar 14, 2006

Post deleted by rlb2 <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Ron Bennett </div>

exoscientist · Mar 14, 2006

Jon said: "Not to a geologist. To a rockhead it looks like differential erosion of a slight weathered layered rock." I'm referring to the undulating quality of the layers, like a wave flowing. I'll believe it if you can show me an example of a solidified rock that experienced undulating layering from wind action alone. Bob Clark <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

JonClarke · Mar 14, 2006

Not sure I guite follow you. What is it that is undulating? The layers look fairly planar to me. We don't know yet what forms the layering at this site, there is evidence for both volcanic and water-laid processes. I am not clear what you mean about solid rock experiencing undulating latering (not that I see any as yet). Do you mean that the layers were deformed before lithification. Lots of processes can do that, including slumping in dry, wind blown sediment. Or do you mean the rock was solid before it was folded? In that case only high pressure can do that. The surface is certainly undulating, and is consistent with differential wind erosion. Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

exoscientist · Mar 14, 2006

Jon, models of wind erosion on rock suppose it is already a solid rock when subjected to wind erosion. It is hard to imagine how wind erosion can cause undulations on solid rock. I can be convinced if there are examples of this in the literature (hopefully on the net.) The undulations I'm referring to are in the layers closer to the lower part of the image. Not the carved out portions at the top. - Bob Clark <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

JonClarke · Mar 15, 2006

Wind erosion, of solid rock is well documented at a wide range of scales, from fretting of soft rocks and venifact formation on hard ones, to larger scale features like yardangs and even whole landscapes It is hard to see whether the apparent variations in the layering are real, or simply an illusion caused by the irregular surface. I can see what might be local unformity, possibly marking where horizontal layering overlies cross-bed foresets, but I am not sure. Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

dgpeterson · Mar 19, 2006

Has anyone else noticed from the latest images that Spirit seems to be dragging one of it's rear wheels?

telfrow · Mar 19, 2006

See this post in the "Mars Exploration Rover - Spirit - Update Thread" in Mission and Launches. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find and not to yeild. - Tennyson </div>

telfrow · Mar 20, 2006

'Hourglass'-shaped crater - new video and perspectives This video and accompanying images, taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board ESA's Mars Express spacecraft, show an unusual flow deposit on the floors of two adjacent impact craters in the eastern Hellas Planitia region, indicating possible glacial processes. ---- Most likely the surface morphology is formed by the 'creep' of ice and debris, similar to either terrestrial rock glacier landforms or debris covered glaciers which are commonly found in high latitudes and alpine regions. Link to full story, video and other photos <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find and not to yeild. - Tennyson </div>

Swampcat · Mar 20, 2006

Oppy, Sol 749 (L4, L5 & L6 filters) Full size image (1024x1024, 258kb) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

bonzelite · Mar 20, 2006

Most likely the surface morphology is formed by the 'creep' of ice and debris, similar to either terrestrial rock glacier landforms or debris covered glaciers which are commonly found in high latitudes and alpine regions. i agree. this is called "terrain softening." this is observed throughout mars. the Mars Express images are shockingly gorgeous and show the softening in stunning detail. the softening is allegedly due to intermixture of regolith with literal ice, as in a slurry. mars may be an ice-laden planet throughout. notice, too, that many of the imaged craters' walls are very shallow, as if the craters are disappearing, sinking away into the softening terrain.

JonClarke · Mar 21, 2006

I for one will be very surprised if we don't find the full spectrum of ice-soil related surface processes from gelifluction through rock glaciers to full scale glaciers on Mars, just as we do on earth. Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

bonzelite · Mar 21, 2006

i agree. and what is gelifluction?

JonClarke · Mar 21, 2006

Gelifuction AKA solifuction, is down slope movement of water saturated icy soil, common in permafrost environments. The result is "terrain softening" and signs of plastic surface flow. Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

bonzelite · Mar 21, 2006

thank you, John. indeed, the surface of mars is very dynamic. we just don't quite know what that necessarily means insofar as time-scales. some features look as if they formed last weekend. some look thousands of years old, some millions. it may be combo of all 3 timescales. mars is about the coolest subject to me. i love it. Jon, did you ever get your mars globe?

JonClarke · Mar 21, 2006

Sadly, no. My youngest daughter has taken up scuba diving which means I have to chase the spiders and mice out of my gear and get back into it. Can't complain though, scuba is fun, just so expensive. Just that other items fall by the wayside. Still have my blow up globe though. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> JOn <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars Arthur Clarke </div>

bonzelite · Mar 21, 2006

understand.

Swampcat · Mar 21, 2006

I hate to interfere with this most interesting discussion (learned a couple of cool new words -- "gelifuction" and "solifuction"), but the thread topic is "images" of Mars <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> so I thought I put some "on topic" content in here. J/k, of course. Carry on... <hr /> Oppy, Sol 749 (L2, L5 & L7) Full size image (1855x988, 263kb) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

Swampcat · Mar 21, 2006

Another from Oppy on Sol 749 (L2, L5 & L7 filters) Full size image (1024x1024, 422kb) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

Swampcat · Mar 21, 2006

Oppy, Sol 750 (L2, L5 & L7 filters) Full size image (6297x1353, 978kb) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

Swampcat · Mar 21, 2006

Oppy, Sol 753 (L2, L5 & L7 filters) Full size image (2841x1133, 506kb) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

Images of Mars -- Part Three

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