Mars Rover Spirit Mission Update Thread

[fangsheath]

I am truly stunned to see how different Wishstone is chemically from the rocks of West Spur, less than a quarter of a mile away. Not only is it remarkably rich in potassium and phosphorus, it is stunningly poor in chromium. Chlorine and sulfur are higher than is typical of the basaltic rocks of the plain, but lower than those of the West Spur rocks. Even after I saw that Wishstone was distinctly different in morphology (and another nearby rock seems to have similar appearance), I did not suspect that it would be so dramatically different in chemistry. The phosphorus level, to my knowledge, is well above that of every other Martian rock thus far examined. Of course phosphorus is an important element in living organisms on this planet.<br /><br />In petrological terms I still don't know what we're looking at here, perhaps a volcanic breccia of some sort. But what this says is that the Columbia Hills are complex and diverse, and it's virtually all bets off as to what lies ahead. We will need to try to hit as many areas as possible. I hope our little robot friend is up to it. I believe if we can just get another 60 m eastward we will be able to see for miles to the northeast.

 

[centsworth_II]

<font color="yellow">"...stunned to see how different Wishstone is chemically from the rocks of West Spur..."</font><br /><br />The valley that Larry's Lookout overlooks seems to have been blasted out by a couple of impacts. Wishstone may have come from deeper bedrock than that of West Spur. On the other hand, is there a chance that it came from higher outcrops on Husband hill and rolled down to its present location? Will Mini Tes be any help in finding the bedrock from which Wishstone came or will Spirit have to actually get within arm's reach. This could be a problem if Wishstone came from outcrops in the walls of the valley. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[centsworth_II]

<font color="yellow">"The phosphorus level [of Wishstone], to my knowledge, is well above that of every other Martian rock thus far examined. Of course phosphorus is an important element in living organisms on this planet." -- fangsheath</font><br /> <br />Meteorites Supplied Earth Life With Phosphorus, Scientists Say<br /><br /><i>"Their research shows that meteorites easily could have provided more phosphorus than naturally occurs on Earth ....Phosphorus is central to life. It forms the backbone of DNA and RNA..."</i> <br /><br />Will a headline 20 years from now read "Meteorites Supplied <b>Mars</b> Life With Phosphorus, Scientists Say"?<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

Igenous rocks are generally elevated in phosphorus, though variably, apatite being a common accessory mineral in them. Earth has plenty of posphorous of its own, there is no need for it to be seeded <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>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</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[fangsheath]

At a guess I would say that these rocks have drifted down the slope after eroding out of outcrops farther up Cumberland Ridge (JPL's designation for what I have called Northwest Spur). Another nearby rock (bottom) appears to have morphology similar to that of Wishstone (top).<br /><br />I don't think it will be a question of finding the bedrock these rocks were associated with. I think it is inevitable as we move up Cumberland Ridge. I realize the importance of getting a good sampling of the rocks, but I am anxious to get moving. I feel the same way I did when we spent what I still believe was too much time at Pot of Gold. I have an inkling that these hills have an enormous story to tell, and we will be lucky to collect very many of the pieces of it.

 

[fangsheath]

I guess that image didn't post properly, let's try again....

 

[fangsheath]

She's on the move. There is a surprising amount of slip in this area, considering how gentle the slope is, but there is a lot of loose soil and many of the rocks are just too small to stay put when the wheels push them. We're getting there.<br /><br />This is a pretty little rock formation. Looks almost like a dinosaur.

 

[Leovinus]

I had to put my 3D glasses on backwards to see that picture. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[fangsheath]

My bad, here is another anaglyph in proper form. As Spirit advances eastward, we are finally beginning to get a glimpse of completely new terrain north of Husband Hill. As the rover crests Cumberland Ridge we should get a better look.

 

[bobvanx]

Here's that RAT'ting as a red/blue anaglyph (well, a part of the cleaned area, anyway)

 

[thechemist]

Spirit has finally made a significant move forward after several sols of idleness.<br />Watch out Larry, here we come ! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />http://qt.exploratorium.edu/mars/spirit/rear_hazcam/2005-01-12/2R158774422EFFA2DHP1312R0M1.JPG <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>I feel better than James Brown.</em> </div>

 

[space_student]

The rock in the latest microscopic images from Spirit looks a lot like sedimentary rocks seen at Opportunity's landing site.<br /><br />http://qt.exploratorium.edu/mars/spirit/micro_imager/2005-01-20/2M159478547EFFA2HPP2957M2M1.JPG

 

[bobvanx]

Yes they do!<br /><br />They have layers, they have that same weird lumpiness...<br /><br />When I look at the Navcam and Panorama images, this area looks like it has an amazing history. Much of the ground looks similar to places in Yellowstone, or Mount Lassen.

 

[jaredgalen]

Does it look like the ties around these wires are becoming undone.<br />if so could it become a problem in terms of using the Scientific arm and also for driving, seeing as the arm must be stowed, could they dangle down and perhaps get tangled in the arm mechanism.<br />Something definitely changes between these two images.....I think<br />http://origin.mars5.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/all/2/f/373/2F159481683EFFA2HPP1110L0M1.HTML<br /><br />http://origin.mars5.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/all/2/f/373/2F159481683EFFA2HPP1110R0M1.HTML

 

[Leovinus]

I don't see the problem. The only thing I see changing between the images is the orientation of the end of the arm. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[jaredgalen]

On the left image two ties can be clearly seen, one on the left end of the bundle of wires, one in the right end.<br />In the next image, only one can be seen and it seems to have changed position. It is now more towards the centre.<br /><br />Seriously...I'm not kidding!! <br /><br />P.S Sorry about the big image

 

[Leovinus]

Oh, I see what you're saying. Isn't this a stereoscopic pair taken from different cameras. One would expect them to have different views of the bundle of wires and two see different wire ties. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[jaredgalen]

Ah, you absolutely right, didn't quite expect to see such a difference in perspective that's all.<br />Makes perfect sense now that you say it, can see the corresponding ties too.<br /><br />Okay people, in the wise words of Douglas Adams, DON'T PANIC, everything is fine.

 

[telfrow]

I saw it too. <br /><br />It is interesting. It looks like the remains of some kind of mineral crust that started to accumulate around an object. The remains of a failed attempt to start a 'blueberry"? <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br />I have no idea...maybe Jon can offer an opinion. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <strong><font color="#3366ff">Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find and not to yeild.</font> - <font color="#3366ff"><em>Tennyson</em></font></strong> </div>

 

[claywoman]

I will be interested to find out what kind of rock peace is...it almost look like lava, but it also looks like it is soft like sand...but then I'm a total ameteur...

 

[silylene old]

Since I know someone will mention this, I have to be first. These look like a tooth and fragments of a jawbone of a very small reptile. As most fossil hunters know, reptilian teeth are often cylindrical or conical in shape.<br /><br />Rodent teeth are scoop-shaped, thus this find does not lend any credibility to the Martian bunny hypothesis.<br /><br />(Of course, I am not serious!) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><em><font color="#0000ff">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</font></em> </div><div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><font color="#0000ff"><em>I really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function.</em></font> </div> </div>

 

[farmerman]

Does anyone know where nasa post the schedules for the rover updates? Are they still broadcasted on nasa t.v.? I would still like to hear/watch what the rovers are finding from the scientists. Maybe these cylindrical features are petrified root systems. I don't know much about ocean plant life here on earth, but there root systems have to embed into some type of bedrock or other type of surface. Man if this is the case spirit has hit a grand slam. Everyone is wondering about past life on Mars, to me the life would have started in the martian ocean. The probably of these objects being some type of root system is really remote, and probably not even the case, but one can always hope and dream!

 

[retro555]

Those strange cylindrical objects protuding from "Peace" are the weirdest things I've seen at Gusev. Looks like crystals of some kind. I wish they would have another press conference on NASA TV instead of making us wait 10 days or more for JPL's web site to post an update. Are the science team's teleconferences available live on the web somewhere? Both rovers are having stunning results lately and I am very curious as to what the scientists think.

 

[ratliff]

Those lok like hexagonal crystal columns....evaporite?

 

[JonClarke]

I think we are looking at a clump of hexagonal prisms. The most likely explanation is that these are a clump of gypsum crystals, growing of a slight moist surfaces. They grow like hair, and on earth can become quite long and curly. You get them in deserts and in caves. They have been called growths of gypsum. These grow out of slightly moist surfaces. Such features have been called anthodites,<br /><br />http://vl-maltsev.narod.ru/liter/filam/filame.htm <br /> <br /><br />The moisture implication is the most interesting - is it from atmospheric frost or seepage from within? I suspect the first as most parsimonious.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>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</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>