Cape York - Shoemaker Ridge and the NE traverse, Starting sol 2735 |
Cape York - Shoemaker Ridge and the NE traverse, Starting sol 2735 |
Oct 4 2011, 12:20 PM
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The Poet Dude Group: Moderator Posts: 5551 Joined: 15-March 04 From: Kendal, Cumbria, UK Member No.: 60 |
Oppy's next destination - the Shoemaker Ridge...
(3D version here http://roadtoendeavour.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/sr-3d.jpg ) Some more height...surrounded by lots of gorgeous rocks...view right across Endeavour... our first view too, probably, of the Promised Land in the centre of Cape York where the phylosillicates are waiting to be found... Go get 'em, Oppy! Edit: looks like Oppy's on the move... http://qt.exploratorium.edu/mars/opportuni...84P1211L0M1.JPG -------------------- |
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Oct 12 2011, 12:15 PM
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 3009 Joined: 30-October 04 Member No.: 105 |
The lineations are indeed not readily visible from ground level. The sparse detritus overlying them "shields" the view at low viewing angles from the ground and blocks less in the "vertical" view of aerials. And they are undoubtedly mineralized joints or fractures, a form of low-temperature hydrothermal activity (a new word to bandy about). Probably created as stress-relief features from the unloading of the surface as the Endeavour rim has eroded (see them all the time in Appalachia) but they may also be related to shock from the concussion of the Endeavour impact (or earlier impacts). They are probably quite common here, but typically are less-visible and covered with the detritus of weathered material whereas at the spot the loose stuff has evidently been transported away. Notice that the Rover tracks sometimes disappear without an obvious change in the albedo or texture of the surface, so there is something different happening here.
Remember that we got a "preview" of lineations when we first arrived at CY and rushed by those fine, reddish lineations on the way to Odyssey. At any rate, the mineralogy of these structures will give great insight into conditions of the time. And a prequel of what cousin Curiosity ought to be looking at in Gale crater. --Bill -------------------- |
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