Martian Soil in 3-D

NASA - JPL ^ | 1-16-04 | NASA

[Phil V.]

This image taken by the microscopic imager on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit shows the powdery soil of Mars in 3-D. It is the sharpest look yet at the surface of another planet. The microscopic imager is located on the rover's instrument deployment device, or "arm." . . .

This close-up look at a patch of martian soil is the sharpest image ever taken of another planet. The picture was captured by the microscopic imager located on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit's instrument deployment device, or "arm." Scientists liken the alien soil to clumpy cocoa powder. The upper left corner of the soil patch is illuminated by direct sunlight and thus appears brighter. The actual size of the patch is about 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) across.

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[Phil V.]

What is interesting about these images when viewed in 3D is how they resemble "frost heave" soil. The soil is "stacked" so to speak . . . vertical "mini towers". Something is binding the particles together.

Inviting input from freepdom (or freepdumb) . . .

[Phil V.]

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

[cyborg]

Looks like ash from my barbecue grill

[demlosers]

I need 3D glasses...I'll look this week for one.

[ambrose]

Sadly, the full beauty of Mars isn't captured in the photos coming back thus far. They need to get a probe closer to the mountains which are breathtaking.

[Consort]

Regolith?

[leadpenny]

There was a link for three pair of Deep Vision 3D glasses for two bucks. Sent away on the 6th from Virginia and got them back from California on the 12th. I'll see if I can find that address if you like?

[Sir Charles]

Neat observation. Maybe obvious to some, but I appreciate it.

[woofer]

Just get some red and blue celophane or report covers.

[woofer]

Just get some red and blue celophane or report covers.

Forgot to add that the JPL site has instructions on making 3D glasses.

[Phil V.]

Sadly, the full beauty of Mars isn't captured in the photos coming back thus far. They need to get a probe closer to the mountains which are breathtaking.

I take it you got in on the ground floor. Just curious . . . how long was the sale's seminar and did you play hard to get before you closed the deal? Did you get special priveleges for signing early? Do you "mountain men" call "the others" flatlanders like we do here in the Sierra Nevadas?

[leadpenny]

Yes, the frost analogy is what I was thinking. Something making it stack up like that. Magnetism?

[okie01]

"Something is binding the particles together."

Ice crystals? Any water vapor in the atmosphere has likely precipitated out and is bound into the topsoil as ice crystals.

My guess is we're going to find ample water on the planet. But it won't be liquid...

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

I've seen something like that in a riverbed someplace. Something about the water passing over and laying on material as its dries up. Interesting!

[the invisib1e hand]

gives me a headache just to look at it.

[Bobby777]

Looks like ash from my barbecue grill

I can't believe you said that! ... how weird ... a few weeks ago, this thing came out of the sky and bounced all over my neighborhood ... then in landed in MY BBQ grill ... it's been stuck in there ever since ... it said "Beagle" on the side of it ... I broke off the antennae and I threw it in the trash ...

[the invisib1e hand]

Ice crystals?

dilithium crystals, captain.

[Lawdoc]

Wouldn't it sublimate at Martian pressure and tempuratures? Don't know just asking.

[Phil V.]

Look at the white rock in the lower left. Do you suppose it will be a carbonate?

[cyborg]

LOL good grief