I'm watching the replay of yesterday's NASA news conference and I saw these images that I'm calling my favorites so far: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16105u_malin04MAINIMAGE-br2.jpg http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16104_malin03m100focus-br2.jpg Somehow I get the feeling that geologists (Rodger?) will salivate when they see them. :) patrick
Patrick, Excellent choices. ________________________________ From: Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 3:57 AM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Favorites so far I'm watching the replay of yesterday's NASA news conference and I saw these images that I'm calling my favorites so far: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16105u_malin04MAINIMAGE-br2.jpg http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16104_malin03m100focus-br2.jpg Somehow I get the feeling that geologists (Rodger?) will salivate when they see them. :) patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".
Was the layering expected/predicted? Sig On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 3:57 AM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>wrote:
I'm watching the replay of yesterday's NASA news conference and I saw these images that I'm calling my favorites so far: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16105u_malin04MAINIMAGE-br2.jpg http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16104_malin03m100focus-br2.jpg
Somehow I get the feeling that geologists (Rodger?) will salivate when they see them. :)
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-- Siegfried
Since it was taken with an iPhone in Arizona, probably. Looks like it was run through an Instagram filter. I blame the guy with the mohawk--he looks hipsterish. :-) The layering is fascinating. Is there a scale to see how big each of those layers are, and exactly how far away that mountain is? I hope there are plans to go over there. I didn't realize that all the other rovers were purposely landed nowhere near a mountain because they had rudimentary guiding systems. Curiosity had active guidance, and could land in an area that was considered dangerous for the other rovers. We've never had a rover get this close to a mountain with geological formations like that yet. Thanks for sending those, Patrick. Dan On Aug 29, 2012, at 9:06 AM, Siegfried Jachmann <siegfried@jachmann.org> wrote:
Was the layering expected/predicted?
Sig
On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 3:57 AM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>wrote:
I'm watching the replay of yesterday's NASA news conference and I saw these images that I'm calling my favorites so far: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16105u_malin04MAINIMAGE-br2.jpg http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16104_malin03m100focus-br2.jpg
Somehow I get the feeling that geologists (Rodger?) will salivate when they see them. :)
patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
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-- Daniel Holmes, danielh@holmesonics.com "Laugh while you can, monkey boy!" -- Lord John Whorfin
Finally, some aesthetically pleasing terrain to add to the scrapbook. All the other photos we've received from the red planet's surface were, to put it mildly, dull. Now, if we could only come up with a wider spectrum of colors other than shades of red, tan and light brown. ________________________________ From: Daniel Holmes <danielh@holmesonics.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 9:56 AM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Favorites so far Since it was taken with an iPhone in Arizona, probably. Looks like it was run through an Instagram filter. I blame the guy with the mohawk--he looks hipsterish. :-) The layering is fascinating. Is there a scale to see how big each of those layers are, and exactly how far away that mountain is? I hope there are plans to go over there. I didn't realize that all the other rovers were purposely landed nowhere near a mountain because they had rudimentary guiding systems. Curiosity had active guidance, and could land in an area that was considered dangerous for the other rovers. We've never had a rover get this close to a mountain with geological formations like that yet. Thanks for sending those, Patrick. Dan On Aug 29, 2012, at 9:06 AM, Siegfried Jachmann <siegfried@jachmann.org> wrote:
Was the layering expected/predicted?
Sig
On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 3:57 AM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>wrote:
I'm watching the replay of yesterday's NASA news conference and I saw these images that I'm calling my favorites so far: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16105u_malin04MAINIMAGE-br2.jpg http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16104_malin03m100focus-br2.jpg
Somehow I get the feeling that geologists (Rodger?) will salivate when they see them. :)
patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
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-- Daniel Holmes, danielh@holmesonics.com "Laugh while you can, monkey boy!" -- Lord John Whorfin _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".
Speaking as a geologist, the layering was very predicted and is at the heart of the interest in this area. Sharp peak has exposed up its flanks thousands of feet of sedimentary section representing a good part of the early depositional history on Mars. As Curiosity scales up the side of Sharp peak, it will traverse through this section and record a chronological representation of Mars' past. I can't wait until they start to turn the pages of this most interesting book. Rodger C. Fry -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Siegfried Jachmann Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 9:06 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Favorites so far Was the layering expected/predicted? Sig On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 3:57 AM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>wrote:
I'm watching the replay of yesterday's NASA news conference and I saw these images that I'm calling my favorites so far: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16105u_malin04MAINIMAGE-br2.jpg http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16104_malin03m100focus-br2.jpg
Somehow I get the feeling that geologists (Rodger?) will salivate when they see them. :)
patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
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-- Siegfried _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".
How steep of a grade is Sharp peak vs. what Curiosity is designed to go up? Any ideas how high they are planning on going up the peak? I'm sure they have plenty of testing (and a backup here that they can test the pathfinding), and probably even a plan if it tips over. I'm still amazed that we have a nuclear powered jeep on Mars. Dan On Aug 29, 2012, at 11:09 AM, Rodger C. Fry <rcfry@comcast.net> wrote:
Speaking as a geologist, the layering was very predicted and is at the heart of the interest in this area. Sharp peak has exposed up its flanks thousands of feet of sedimentary section representing a good part of the early depositional history on Mars. As Curiosity scales up the side of Sharp peak, it will traverse through this section and record a chronological representation of Mars' past. I can't wait until they start to turn the pages of this most interesting book.
Rodger C. Fry
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Siegfried Jachmann Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 9:06 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Favorites so far
Was the layering expected/predicted?
Sig
On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 3:57 AM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>wrote:
I'm watching the replay of yesterday's NASA news conference and I saw these images that I'm calling my favorites so far: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16105u_malin04MAINIMAGE-br2.jpg http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16104_malin03m100focus-br2.jpg
Somehow I get the feeling that geologists (Rodger?) will salivate when they see them. :)
patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
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-- Siegfried _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
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-- Daniel Holmes, danielh@holmesonics.com "Laugh while you can, monkey boy!" -- Lord John Whorfin
Dan, Curiosity is designed to handle a grade of up to 20 degrees, and so far nothing on its planned route up the base of Mt. Sharp involves grades above 10 degrees. Seth -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Daniel Holmes Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 11:57 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Favorites so far How steep of a grade is Sharp peak vs. what Curiosity is designed to go up? Any ideas how high they are planning on going up the peak? I'm sure they have plenty of testing (and a backup here that they can test the pathfinding), and probably even a plan if it tips over. I'm still amazed that we have a nuclear powered jeep on Mars. Dan On Aug 29, 2012, at 11:09 AM, Rodger C. Fry <rcfry@comcast.net> wrote:
Speaking as a geologist, the layering was very predicted and is at the heart of the interest in this area. Sharp peak has exposed up its flanks thousands of feet of sedimentary section representing a good part of the early depositional history on Mars. As Curiosity scales up the side of Sharp peak, it will traverse through this section and record a chronological representation of Mars' past. I can't wait until they start to turn the pages of this most interesting book.
Rodger C. Fry
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Siegfried Jachmann Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 9:06 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Favorites so far
Was the layering expected/predicted?
Sig
On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 3:57 AM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>wrote:
I'm watching the replay of yesterday's NASA news conference and I saw these images that I'm calling my favorites so far: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16105u_malin04MAINIMAGE-br2.jp g http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16104_malin03m100focus-br2.jpg
Somehow I get the feeling that geologists (Rodger?) will salivate when they see them. :)
patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
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-- Siegfried _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
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-- Daniel Holmes, danielh@holmesonics.com "Laugh while you can, monkey boy!" -- Lord John Whorfin _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".
Shoot, I typed too fast. Curiosity is rated for a grade of 20%, _not_ 20 degrees, and the path up Mt. Sharp involves grades of 10%, _not_ 10 degrees. Sorry, Seth -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Daniel Holmes Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 11:57 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Favorites so far How steep of a grade is Sharp peak vs. what Curiosity is designed to go up? Any ideas how high they are planning on going up the peak? I'm sure they have plenty of testing (and a backup here that they can test the pathfinding), and probably even a plan if it tips over. I'm still amazed that we have a nuclear powered jeep on Mars. Dan On Aug 29, 2012, at 11:09 AM, Rodger C. Fry <rcfry@comcast.net> wrote:
Speaking as a geologist, the layering was very predicted and is at the heart of the interest in this area. Sharp peak has exposed up its flanks thousands of feet of sedimentary section representing a good part of the early depositional history on Mars. As Curiosity scales up the side of Sharp peak, it will traverse through this section and record a chronological representation of Mars' past. I can't wait until they start to turn the pages of this most interesting book.
Rodger C. Fry
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Siegfried Jachmann Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 9:06 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Favorites so far
Was the layering expected/predicted?
Sig
On Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 3:57 AM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>wrote:
I'm watching the replay of yesterday's NASA news conference and I saw these images that I'm calling my favorites so far: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16105u_malin04MAINIMAGE-br2.jp g http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16104_malin03m100focus-br2.jpg
Somehow I get the feeling that geologists (Rodger?) will salivate when they see them. :)
patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
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-- Daniel Holmes, danielh@holmesonics.com "Laugh while you can, monkey boy!" -- Lord John Whorfin _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".
I have spent the past hour studying in detail the first image that Patrick referenced herein. It is a great shot and tells much. He is very correct that it did make me react like Pavlov's dog! As a geologist, the first thing that comes to mind when viewing a sequence of bedded strata is what is the method of genesis. Bedded sequences can be prevalent in both volcanic and sedimentary sequences. An inspection of the bedding and the thin-continuous layers appears to be sedimentary rather than of volcanic origin. With this being determined, I have to ask myself, in what environment did the sedimentary sequence form. Sedimentary beds can be deposited in a broad range of environments from Aeolian (wind derived), Alluvial (gravity or water transported and is a deposition of mass wasting), Fluvial (river deposited sediment), Lacustrine (Lake deposits) and Marine (deposited below sea level). Each of these depositional environments has characteristic tale-tale signs that can be used to determine the general depositional environment that the sediment was deposited in. With Mars present lack of water, one cannot overlook the possibility that sedimentary sequences are Aeolian. Sediments deposited in this environment can have beds that are laterally continuous but within these beds, strong cross-stratification should be present. I can't see any evidence of cross-stratification and even with the detail of this image, I would expect to see some of this if it were Aeolian. I therefore believe that these beds are not deposited by wind. This suggests that water came into play. The strata are much too laterally continuous to be alluvial/colluvial which demonstrate strong lenticularity (lens shaped beds in cross-section. I feel that it is fairly easy to eliminate alluvial/colluvial deposition other than the uppermost beds just below the skyine (with some small knolls overlying them) which might be alluvial/colluvial (based on cross-cutting relationship with underlying sediment). Most of the sedimentary sequence has beds that show strong lateral continuity and locally, some subtle lenticularity. This is very consistent with either lacustrine or fluvial deposition. I feel there is a better than even chance that the sediments were deposited in a river or lake or combination of the two. The sedimentary signature is also consistent with marine deposition but this couldn't be determined without a much closer review. Based on 40+ years in studying fluvial,lacustrine and marine deposition in deltaic environments, I see a more compelling argument to call this sequence fluvial/lacustrine. It appears that the sedimentary beds are dipping slightly toward Curiosity as well as to the right. If this is taken toward Sharp peak this dip is what I would expect because the beds would be uplifted by the rebound that occurred after the meteor hit that formed Gale crater and dip away from Sharp peak. If you look at the image 1/3 of the way from the left and 1/3 of the way from the top, you see a rounded knoll that has, in descending order, a light colored sequence underlain by a darker sequence that is thick and then two light sequences separated by a thin dark sequence. This same pattern exists in the background on the slope in the upper left. If I were there, I would want to see if these are the same sequences and if they are, are their position on the terrain the result of dipping beds or do we have faulting behind the knoll and in front of the aforementioned slope. Without a doubt, Curiosity and the JPL team have their work cut out for them. From what I see here, a wealth of information is about to come forth and we have just begun to explore. I can't wait to see more. Rodger C. Fry -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 3:58 AM To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Favorites so far I'm watching the replay of yesterday's NASA news conference and I saw these images that I'm calling my favorites so far: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16105u_malin04MAINIMAGE-br2.jpg http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16104_malin03m100focus-br2.jpg Somehow I get the feeling that geologists (Rodger?) will salivate when they see them. :) patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".
Wow. I had a very scientific response ready to go but Roger beat me to it. Dang. LOL All I can say is I see a little Martin staring at me. He is in the bottom of the big picture and on the center right side. He has a round dome head. looks like a very small observatory dome. Mark Shelton Indian Hill Middle School Tech Ed. Teacher Salt Lake Astronomical Society Board Member (School and Special Star Parties Coordinator) ________________________________ From: Rodger C. Fry <rcfry@comcast.net> To: 'Utah Astronomy' <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 1:37 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] A Geologic Assesment of the Image Patrick Posted to UA Favorites so far I have spent the past hour studying in detail the first image that Patrick referenced herein. It is a great shot and tells much. He is very correct
Interesting analysis, Rodger. Thanks, Joe ________________________________ From: Rodger C. Fry <rcfry@comcast.net> To: 'Utah Astronomy' <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 1:37 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] A Geologic Assesment of the Image Patrick Posted to UA Favorites so far I have spent the past hour studying in detail the first image that Patrick referenced herein. It is a great shot and tells much. He is very correct that it did make me react like Pavlov's dog! As a geologist, the first thing that comes to mind when viewing a sequence of bedded strata is what is the method of genesis. Bedded sequences can be prevalent in both volcanic and sedimentary sequences. An inspection of the bedding and the thin-continuous layers appears to be sedimentary rather than of volcanic origin. With this being determined, I have to ask myself, in what environment did the sedimentary sequence form. Sedimentary beds can be deposited in a broad range of environments from Aeolian (wind derived), Alluvial (gravity or water transported and is a deposition of mass wasting), Fluvial (river deposited sediment), Lacustrine (Lake deposits) and Marine (deposited below sea level). Each of these depositional environments has characteristic tale-tale signs that can be used to determine the general depositional environment that the sediment was deposited in. With Mars present lack of water, one cannot overlook the possibility that sedimentary sequences are Aeolian. Sediments deposited in this environment can have beds that are laterally continuous but within these beds, strong cross-stratification should be present. I can't see any evidence of cross-stratification and even with the detail of this image, I would expect to see some of this if it were Aeolian. I therefore believe that these beds are not deposited by wind. This suggests that water came into play. The strata are much too laterally continuous to be alluvial/colluvial which demonstrate strong lenticularity (lens shaped beds in cross-section. I feel that it is fairly easy to eliminate alluvial/colluvial deposition other than the uppermost beds just below the skyine (with some small knolls overlying them) which might be alluvial/colluvial (based on cross-cutting relationship with underlying sediment). Most of the sedimentary sequence has beds that show strong lateral continuity and locally, some subtle lenticularity. This is very consistent with either lacustrine or fluvial deposition. I feel there is a better than even chance that the sediments were deposited in a river or lake or combination of the two. The sedimentary signature is also consistent with marine deposition but this couldn't be determined without a much closer review. Based on 40+ years in studying fluvial,lacustrine and marine deposition in deltaic environments, I see a more compelling argument to call this sequence fluvial/lacustrine. It appears that the sedimentary beds are dipping slightly toward Curiosity as well as to the right. If this is taken toward Sharp peak this dip is what I would expect because the beds would be uplifted by the rebound that occurred after the meteor hit that formed Gale crater and dip away from Sharp peak. If you look at the image 1/3 of the way from the left and 1/3 of the way from the top, you see a rounded knoll that has, in descending order, a light colored sequence underlain by a darker sequence that is thick and then two light sequences separated by a thin dark sequence. This same pattern exists in the background on the slope in the upper left. If I were there, I would want to see if these are the same sequences and if they are, are their position on the terrain the result of dipping beds or do we have faulting behind the knoll and in front of the aforementioned slope. Without a doubt, Curiosity and the JPL team have their work cut out for them. From what I see here, a wealth of information is about to come forth and we have just begun to explore. I can't wait to see more. Rodger C. Fry -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 3:58 AM To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Favorites so far I'm watching the replay of yesterday's NASA news conference and I saw these images that I'm calling my favorites so far: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16105u_malin04MAINIMAGE-br2.jpg http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16104_malin03m100focus-br2.jpg Somehow I get the feeling that geologists (Rodger?) will salivate when they see them. :) patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options". _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".
An hour on line? I envy you your free time, Rodger. On Aug 29, 2012 1:39 PM, "Rodger C. Fry" <rcfry@comcast.net> wrote:
I have spent the past hour studying in detail the first image that Patrick referenced herein. It is a great shot and tells much. He is very correct that it did make me react like Pavlov's dog! As a geologist, the first thing that comes to mind when viewing a sequence of bedded strata is what is the method of genesis. Bedded sequences can be prevalent in both volcanic and sedimentary sequences. An inspection of the bedding and the thin-continuous layers appears to be sedimentary rather than of volcanic origin. With this being determined, I have to ask myself, in what environment did the sedimentary sequence form.
Sedimentary beds can be deposited in a broad range of environments from Aeolian (wind derived), Alluvial (gravity or water transported and is a deposition of mass wasting), Fluvial (river deposited sediment), Lacustrine (Lake deposits) and Marine (deposited below sea level). Each of these depositional environments has characteristic tale-tale signs that can be used to determine the general depositional environment that the sediment was deposited in.
With Mars present lack of water, one cannot overlook the possibility that sedimentary sequences are Aeolian. Sediments deposited in this environment can have beds that are laterally continuous but within these beds, strong cross-stratification should be present. I can't see any evidence of cross-stratification and even with the detail of this image, I would expect to see some of this if it were Aeolian. I therefore believe that these beds are not deposited by wind. This suggests that water came into play.
The strata are much too laterally continuous to be alluvial/colluvial which demonstrate strong lenticularity (lens shaped beds in cross-section. I feel that it is fairly easy to eliminate alluvial/colluvial deposition other than the uppermost beds just below the skyine (with some small knolls overlying them) which might be alluvial/colluvial (based on cross-cutting relationship with underlying sediment).
Most of the sedimentary sequence has beds that show strong lateral continuity and locally, some subtle lenticularity. This is very consistent with either lacustrine or fluvial deposition. I feel there is a better than even chance that the sediments were deposited in a river or lake or combination of the two. The sedimentary signature is also consistent with marine deposition but this couldn't be determined without a much closer review. Based on 40+ years in studying fluvial,lacustrine and marine deposition in deltaic environments, I see a more compelling argument to call this sequence fluvial/lacustrine.
It appears that the sedimentary beds are dipping slightly toward Curiosity as well as to the right. If this is taken toward Sharp peak this dip is what I would expect because the beds would be uplifted by the rebound that occurred after the meteor hit that formed Gale crater and dip away from Sharp peak. If you look at the image 1/3 of the way from the left and 1/3 of the way from the top, you see a rounded knoll that has, in descending order, a light colored sequence underlain by a darker sequence that is thick and then two light sequences separated by a thin dark sequence. This same pattern exists in the background on the slope in the upper left. If I were there, I would want to see if these are the same sequences and if they are, are their position on the terrain the result of dipping beds or do we have faulting behind the knoll and in front of the aforementioned slope.
Without a doubt, Curiosity and the JPL team have their work cut out for them. From what I see here, a wealth of information is about to come forth and we have just begun to explore.
I can't wait to see more.
Rodger C. Fry
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Wiggins Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 3:58 AM To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Favorites so far
I'm watching the replay of yesterday's NASA news conference and I saw these images that I'm calling my favorites so far: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16105u_malin04MAINIMAGE-br2.jpg http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16104_malin03m100focus-br2.jpg
Somehow I get the feeling that geologists (Rodger?) will salivate when they see them. :)
patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
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_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
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Looks wind swept to me.
I'm watching the replay of yesterday's NASA news conference and I saw
these images that I'm calling my favorites so far: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16105u_malin04MAINIMAGE-br2.jpg http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/images/PIA16104_malin03m100focus-br2.jpg
Somehow I get the feeling that geologists (Rodger?) will salivate when they see them. :)
patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
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participants (11)
-
Chuck Hards -
Daniel Holmes -
erikhansen＠thebluezone.net -
Joe Bauman -
M Wilson -
Mark Shelton -
Patrick Wiggins -
Rodger C. Fry -
Seth Jarvis -
Siegfried Jachmann -
william baker