Journey to Mt Sharp - Part 4: Beyond the Kimberley, Sol 634 [May 19, '14] to 706 [Jul 31, '14] |
Journey to Mt Sharp - Part 4: Beyond the Kimberley, Sol 634 [May 19, '14] to 706 [Jul 31, '14] |
May 19 2014, 07:00 PM
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#1
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Administrator Group: Admin Posts: 5172 Joined: 4-August 05 From: Pasadena, CA, USA, Earth Member No.: 454 |
I'd say that the sol 634 drive put the Kimberley in the rear-view mirror, so it's time for a new thread! Let's see how fast they can move toward Murray Buttes now!
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May 26 2014, 10:50 AM
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#2
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1465 Joined: 9-February 04 From: Columbus OH USA Member No.: 13 |
Is there a compelling scientific reason for MSL to analyze an iron-nickel meteor further (drive over there, etc)?
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May 26 2014, 10:35 PM
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#3
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1044 Joined: 17-February 09 Member No.: 4605 |
Is there a compelling scientific reason for MSL to analyze an iron-nickel meteor further (drive over there, etc)? Assuming that they are, as they seem, iron meteorites then the impact must have occurred when there was a reasonably thick atmosphere and an appreciable depth of material (sandstone / mud / water) above their present level since there is no trace of impact excavation and no appreciable fragmentation, although the original could perhaps have split in half, potentially just before impact. So a closer examination could give an important data point on the environment post impact. Besides, how could an entity named Curiosity fail to have a quick look? |
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May 28 2014, 03:06 AM
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#4
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 3419 Joined: 9-February 04 From: Minneapolis, MN, USA Member No.: 15 |
...there is no trace of impact excavation and no appreciable fragmentation... Aren't these characteristics of all of the iron meteorites we've seen on the surface? I can recall several examples at Meridiani. They all seem to be perched directly on top of the current surface, not even partially buried by lag deposits. They do all seem to show up on deflated surfaces, though, which is certainly consistent with your observations about the surface deflation at Gale. I have a gut feeling that there is more to the story, but as to the specifics of what that "more" is, there are no working theories that have come to mind yet... -the other Doug (with my shield, not yet upon it) -------------------- “The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right.” -Mark Twain
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