Some scientists just take all the fun out of strange discoveries. I would like for this to be an actual piece of wood. How fascinating would that be!!?? If nothing else, this just might inspire some future Science Fiction writer to create a story around these two photos. I personally think it is one of The Caveman's clubs, he has been know to misplace them before.
PICTURE SPARKS CLAIMS OF WOOD ON MARS
A photograph of the surface of Mars showing a mysterious object has prompted a wave of speculation over alien involvement.
By Jon Swaine TelegraphUK on line
The landscape picture, taken as part of Nasa's Mars Exploration Rover mission in May 2004, that sparked rumours of martian wood Photo: NASA / JPL
The picture, which was taken as part of Nasa's Mars Exploration Rover mission in May 2004, has given excitable internet message board users reason to believe that a civilisation has formed on the planet.
Detail of the NASA image. The plank has been explained as a trick of lighting and viewing angle Photo: NASA / JPL
Some of the more far-fetched theories over the object's identity range from a plank of wood to a giant flake.
However, Dr Jim Bell, an Associate Professor of Astronomy at Cornell University and the lead scientist in the development of the Rover project's cameras, has provided an alternative explanation.
He told the Universe Today website that "sadly" there was no wood in the picture, adding: "I say 'sadly' because personally I think it would be incredible and spectacular to find a wooden plank on Mars. However, in this case, it's just a trick of the lighting and the viewing angle.
He added: "What you're seeing is a piece of flat, platy, layered sulfur-rich outcrop rock ... Sometimes, like in this case, those flat, platy rocks have been tilted or dislodged, this one probably from the forces associated with the huge impact crater that formed nearby.
"And this one's being viewed edge-on. That edge-on view, combined with the layered nature of these rocks in general gives the surface a sort of grainy texture. So, indeed, it looks like a wooden plank on Mars."
While frozen water was discovered on the planet earlier this year, it is thought unlikely that conditions on the planet would allow for life to develop.
Orson Welles, a classic act, one of a kind.
I'm going to show Jonathon this in the morning.....he'll love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was Edgar Rice Burroughs. Here is a link to some of his stories such as "The Chessman of Mars', 'The Gods of Mars', and 'A Princess of Mars', among others he wrote. All are complete, chapter to chapter.
ReplyDeletehttp://burroughs.thefreelibrary.com/
oooooo....Jon's going to love the two of you!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bill, I will make good use of the link. I loved reading the Mars and Venus series, and the MoonMen series was fantastic too, What an imagination Burroughs had!!! Surprised no one has made movies out of these books, especially considering the success of his Tarzan books.
ReplyDeleteLOL John, maybe it's a toothpick for giant Martians?
ReplyDeletelol...John this was great!! Had a good laugh this morning =)
ReplyDeleteoh how cool. are those martians George Clooney lookalikes? i am volunteering myself to be abducted.
ReplyDeleteaha! now, i know where he threw that club with bling-blings that i made for him. i am so hurt.
ReplyDeleteor it could be that is where exactly Noah's ark landed.
you do know some stories in the bible are altered.
Then how does one explain the two drag marks very close to it. Never believe what NASA tells you is what I say....LOL. Check the photo again.
ReplyDeleteOh and "hi" John. Sorry I haven't been around much.
ReplyDeleteSooooo... this means no log cabin on Mars?????
ReplyDeleteAn I was thinking the land price would be reasonable &
there would be plenty of wide open spaces and privacy :-)
no log cabin on mars...hmmm that does suck..wanted to move there myself...giggle.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Martian foot prints? Or what ever it is they move around on?
ReplyDelete