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Mars Rover Finds Mystery Spheres on Mars
Space.com ^ | Sept 16, 2012 | Tarty Malik

Posted on 09/15/2012 12:17:45 PM PDT by Young Werther

A strange picture of odd, spherical rock formations on Mars from NASA's Opportunity rover has scientists scratching their heads over what exactly they're looking at.

The new Mars photo by Opportunity shows a close-up of a rock outcrop called Kirkwood covered in blister-like bumps that mission scientists can't yet explain. At first blush, the formations appear similar to so-called Martian "blueberries" — iron-rich spherical formations first seen by Opportunity in 2004 — but they actually differ in several key ways, scientist said.

"This is one of the most extraordinary pictures from the whole mission," said rover mission principal investigator Steve Squyres of Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., in a statement. "Kirkwood is chock full of a dense accumulation of these small spherical objects. Of course, we immediately thought of the blueberries, but this is something different. We never have seen such a dense accumulation of spherules in a rock outcrop on Mars."

The new photo by Opportunity is actually a mosaic of four images taken by a microscope-like imager on its robotic arm, and then stitched together like puzzle pieces by scientists on Earth.

Rock fins up to about 1 foot (30 centimeters) tall dominate this scene from the panoramic camera (Pancam) on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity. This image was taken Aug. 23, 2012. CREDIT: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell Univ./Arizona State Univ. Opportunity on Mars

The Mars rover Opportunity is currently exploring a location known as Cape York along the western rim of a giant Martian crater called Endeavour. Opportunity is one of two golf cart-size NASA rovers that landed on Mars in January 2004 (Spirit was the other) to explore different landing sites.

The solar-powered rovers were initially expected to last just 90 days on Mars, but each survived for years on the Red Planet. Spirit stopped communicating with Earth in 2010, but Opportunity is still operational.

Despite its advanced age, Opportunity is still pumping out new discoveries after more than eight years on Mars. The rover first spotted Martian blueberries soon after its landing in 2004. The blueberries are actually concretions created by minerals in water that settled into sedimentary rock.

Opportunity has seen Martian blueberries at many of its science sites during its Red Planet exploits, but the bumpy, spherical formations on the Kirkwood rock represent something new, researchers said. In Opportunity's new photo, many of the strange features are broken, revealing odd concentric circles inside.

"They seem to be crunchy on the outside, and softer in the middle," Squyres said. "They are different in concentration. They are different in structure. They are different in composition. They are different in distribution. So, we have a wonderful geological puzzle in front of us." [7 Biggest Mars Mysteries]

Squyres said he and his science team have several theories, but none that truly stand out as the best explanation for what could have created the weird bumps on Mars.

"It's going to take a while to work this out, so the thing to do now is keep an open mind and let the rocks do the talking," he said.

Mars Myths & Misconceptions: QuizNo planet is more steeped in myth and misconception than Mars. This quiz will reveal how much you really know about some of the goofiest claims about the red planet. 0 of 10 questions completeMars Myths & Misconceptions: QuizNo planet is more steeped in myth and misconception than Mars. This quiz will reveal how much you really know about some of the goofiest claims about the red planet. 0 of 10 questions complete Start Over | More Quizzes A Martian spring

The Kirkwood outcrop is just one science pit stop at Cape York for Opportunity. Mission scientists have already picked out another interesting rock outcrop nearby, a pale patch that may contain tantalizing clay minerals, for possibly study after Opportunity completes its current analysis.

Meanwhile, the spring equinox is approaching on Mars, ensuring increasing levels of sunshine for Opportunity's solar arrays.

"The rover is in very good health considering its 8-1/2 years of hard work on the surface of Mars," said rover project manager John Callas of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., in a statement. "Energy production levels are comparable to what they were a full Martian year ago, and we are looking forward to productive spring and summer seasons of exploration."


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KEYWORDS: discovery; mars
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To: Young Werther

They found the Republicans’ testicles!


21 posted on 09/15/2012 12:39:13 PM PDT by COBOL2Java (I'm not voting for Obama, so therefore I must be helping Romney!)
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To: null and void

Go to your room.


22 posted on 09/15/2012 12:42:11 PM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: COBOL2Java

*shrug* It did take a microscope after all...


23 posted on 09/15/2012 12:42:33 PM PDT by null and void (Day 1335 of our ObamaVacation from reality - Obama, a queer and present danger)
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To: Young Werther
Mars Myths & Misconceptions: QuizNo planet is more steeped in myth

Alright, alright.

I've heard about "blueberries" and "Mars bars", but.... "QuizNo Planet" ??

Come on...

24 posted on 09/15/2012 12:43:31 PM PDT by Izzy Dunne (Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
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To: Young Werther

Put them in a swimming pool and see what happens.


25 posted on 09/15/2012 12:43:31 PM PDT by NonValueAdded (Taranto: "The whole point of the metaphor is that if you can hear the whistle, you're the dog.")
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To: SkyDancer
Alien eggs. Bring some back.

Now that they know we're here they'll find a way on their own.

26 posted on 09/15/2012 12:43:50 PM PDT by skeeter
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To: Young Werther

27 posted on 09/15/2012 12:49:42 PM PDT by NoLibZone (Every conservative knew the attacks were coming... 3.5 years ago when Obama was elected.)
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Comment #28 Removed by Moderator

To: SkyDancer

They would look nice in my rock garden!

Ten or twelve to mix in.


29 posted on 09/15/2012 12:50:43 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT (The best is the enemy of the good!)
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To: Young Werther

Horta eggs!

30 posted on 09/15/2012 12:51:11 PM PDT by ZOOKER ( Exploring the fine line between cynicism and outright depression)
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Alien Pods... some of which have already hatched. Run Rover! Run!


31 posted on 09/15/2012 12:51:29 PM PDT by whiterhino
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To: Sacajaweau

If you’re lactose intolerant like Leonard then Mars is you destination.


32 posted on 09/15/2012 12:54:54 PM PDT by Young Werther (Julius Caesar said "Quae cum ita sunt. Since these things are so.".)
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To: Young Werther

What ? Blueberries? on Mars? wow.

where there are blueberries .. there will be other stuff too..

remember the fauna and trilobite stuff they saw early on with a rover? Mars used to be a plush place, long ago.. or so I hear late at night.


33 posted on 09/15/2012 12:56:13 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi)
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To: Young Werther
For a 'heretical' view of Mars (based on the electric/plasma universe theory):
Blueberries on Mars (Aug 27, 2004)

Martian "Blueberries" in the Lab (Mar 25, 2005)

"Blueberries" Could Redefine Martian Geology (Mar 28, 2005)

The Eggs of the Thunderbird (Dec 03, 2010)

And an excellent video on Mars vis-a-vis electric/plasma universe theory:
The Lightning-Scarred Planet Mars -- Part Two (Feb 13, 2011)
And an excellent general introduction to the electric/plasma universe theory (video):
Thunderbolts Of The Gods

34 posted on 09/15/2012 1:00:18 PM PDT by the anti-liberal
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To: DUMBGRUNT

I’d like to see a Mars mission where the rover thing comes back with stuff.


35 posted on 09/15/2012 1:02:31 PM PDT by SkyDancer ("OF COURSE I TALK TO MYSELF - Sometimes I need an expert opinion")
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To: skeeter

I’d like to see a Mars mission where the rover thing comes back with stuff.


36 posted on 09/15/2012 1:02:54 PM PDT by SkyDancer ("OF COURSE I TALK TO MYSELF - Sometimes I need an expert opinion")
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To: tet68

I’d like to see a Mars mission where the rover thing comes back with stuff.


37 posted on 09/15/2012 1:03:18 PM PDT by SkyDancer ("OF COURSE I TALK TO MYSELF - Sometimes I need an expert opinion")
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To: COBOL2Java

“They found the Republicans’ testicles!”

Those look pretty large to have come from the current crop of Republicans!


38 posted on 09/15/2012 1:03:57 PM PDT by I cannot think of a name
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To: Young Werther

You’ll like this
how to get to mars http://youtu.be/XRCIzZHpFtY


39 posted on 09/15/2012 1:05:53 PM PDT by sunny48
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To: ZOOKER

Ah yes. I remember that Star Trek episode. They found silicon based life in the horta, as opposed to the carbon based life forms found elsewhere in the galaxy.


40 posted on 09/15/2012 1:08:24 PM PDT by Dilbert San Diego
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