Rover's Findings Mystify and Please Mars Team

LA Times ^ | 1-21-04 | Thomas H. Maugh II

[ambrose]

Rover's Findings Mystify and Please Mars Team

Scientist says, 'Mars is not going to give up its secrets easily,' even to a well-functioning Spirit.

By Thomas H. Maugh II, Times Staff Writer

The Spirit rover's first look at the soil of Mars has left earthbound researchers pleased and a little puzzled - pleased because the instruments are working exceptionally well and puzzled because some initial results were not quite what they expected.

The findings "have posed some new questions for us to pursue in the weeks and months ahead," said principal investigator Steven Squyres of Cornell University.

Researchers chose the Gusev Crater landing site because its appearance suggests that it is the bed of an ancient lake, but some of the first results from the rover's sophisticated instruments suggest otherwise.

[FixitGuy]

Wanted to see the full article, but refuse to give up e-mail and the rest of the personal info they request.

Pee on the LA Times!

[BushCountry]

A Freeper here filled out all the stuff for us and gave out the name and password to all the major newspaper sites. However, I can't remember what it is now. };O(

[night reader]

A Freeper here filled out all the stuff for us and gave out the name and password to all the major newspaper sites. However, I can't remember what it is now.

Member name is biased.
Password is biased.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

ping

[Conspiracy Guy]

Where is the picture of Tourist Guy looking into the rover's camera?

CG

[Lokibob]

[Conspiracy Guy]

Mars Border Security is tight. When we go there we will need visas.

CG

[zx2dragon]

Spirit Finds Puzzling Mix of Minerals

Related article

[Soulfull]

I don't know if this picture will post, tried several times. At the bottom of the picture is some sort of mask/statuary head. It is filled with sand, but you can clearly see the eyes. It is upside down so it helps to rotate the picture. I know I can see it, but maybe I'am losing my marbles.

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/spirit/20040120a/2P127438461IOFP2269L456C6_V4-A17R1_br.jpg

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Hmmm... I'm sure you can find multiple pictures of faces in rocks, if you use your imagination. But, that only proves you have a good imagination, not that Martians made statues with human faces.

[Phil V.]

THANKS!

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

[Darksheare]

Thanks for the ping, and thanks for the article.

[Professional Engineer]

Scientist says, 'Mars is not going to give up its secrets easily,' even to a well-functioning Spirit.

I guess finding the good fishing holes will take a little longer then.

[Darksheare]

YUp.
*fumes slightly*
I was looking forward to being run out of a bar on Mars sometime soon as well.

[OXENinFLA]

Explanation: Is this a great pyramid on Mars? Actually, the pictured rock dubbed Adirondack has an irregular shape, is only about the size of a football, and has formed by natural processes. Still, its relatively large size and dust-free surface made it the first destination for the robotic Spirit rover currently roving Mars. Spirit, itself the size of a golf cart, will now attempt to determine the rock's composition and history by prodding it with its sophisticated mechanical arm. Spirit's arm, programmed remotely from Earth, has the capability to bend, grind, and photograph the rock in minute detail. Spirit's twin rover Opportunity is scheduled to land on the other side of Mars this coming weekend.

[from occupied ga]

Scientist says, 'Mars is not going to give up its secrets easily,' even to a well-functioning Spirit.

This is code talk for grab your wallets because we scientists are going to swill at this taxpayer funded trough even more than you thought.

[Professional Engineer]

This is code talk for grab your wallets because we scientists are going to swill at this taxpayer funded trough even more than you thought.

wHAT THE HECK DID YOU EXPECT? tO FIND THE ENTIRE PLANTERY ARCHIVES?

[from occupied ga]

wHAT THE HECK DID YOU EXPECT? tO FIND THE ENTIRE PLANTERY ARCHIVES?

I expected to find rocks and dust. And WOW! there they are! Rocks and dust! Lemme see. The moon consists of rocks and dust. Mars consists of rocks and dust. Comets consist of rock, dust, and ice. Venus (near as I can tell from the russian data) consists of rocks and dust. So wow and whoopee the us government spent $820 million that could have been otherwise spent by those who actually WORKED for it buying engineers' votes and incidentally getting a few pictures of ... (ta ta) rocks and dust.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!