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Friday, October 12, 2012

Science Curiosity Examines a Rock on Mars

Posted by Charles Mudede on Fri, Oct 12, 2012 at 8:34 AM

The first Martian rock NASA's Curiosity rover has reached out to touch presents a more varied composition than expected from previous missions. The rock also resembles some unusual rocks from Earth's interior.

NASA

One of the many things that we have learned from this spectacular mission, and in particular this dumb rock (which has a name, Jake Matijevic, and is the size of an American football), and also Curiosity's ChemCam (which is equipped with a laser), is that aliens do in fact zap things.

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clever guy

Posted by Swearengen on October 12, 2012 at 9:27 AM

I'd like to see a picture of one rock from Earth's interior that the Martian rock "resembles".

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on October 12, 2012 at 9:27 AM

Link, please.

Posted by judybrowni on October 12, 2012 at 10:00 AM

Wow the shape of the rock looks like it came from an ancient Martian temple to the God of Light and Peace. But I could be wrong.

Posted by Sargon Bighorn on October 12, 2012 at 10:04 AM

It is not so dumb if it can speak for Mars and tell us how it came to be. Curiosity is a translation device.

Posted by thatsnotright on October 12, 2012 at 10:19 AM

Darn. Knew I left something behind.

Bygones.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on October 12, 2012 at 10:36 AM

@2, google "plagiogranite". That's one scientist's guess from the description, which sadly does not name the geologic type they're describing. Found in Hawaii, Cyprus, and other ocean islands, as well as continental rift zones such as the Rio Grande valley. To a non-scientist like me, it looks like a chunk of basalt, which you can find at any large garden store.

Posted by Fnarf