Quote:
Originally Posted by Donnie B.
This whole thread was prompted by Dfrank's interpretation of the image linked in the OP, correct?
I assume the feature he's referring to is the small teardrop-shaped area located top center, at the end of what appears to be a valley bottom. If that's correct, I have a couple questions.
Does anybody know what it looks like in real color, rather than this false-color image?
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(I am disappointed the Dfrank still hasn't come to post original source material to go with his speculation. Do you not care that your are offering up manipulated images instead of originals with provenance? I'll help once again. Please learn how. Save your readers some effort. Thanks.)
From OP:
false-color manipulated image
Probably one of the images used in the composite manipulation
Thumbnails nearby, Opportunity :: Sol 81 :: Panoramic Camera
Sol 81 was a few days before Fram Crater (
press release images), Meridiani Planum, between its landing in Eagle, and the larger Endurance Crater.
Closer to the caramel colors of Mars:
almost the same subject
From
lyle.org :: Opportunity :: sols 81-100, processing by
slinted, I think.
I can look up the methods to accurately gauge size of objects imaged by the pancam. It's not hard to compute, but will take some hunting. Is it really worth it?
I doubt there's a readily available official explanation. It's not a remarkable image. It might be described buried in someone's report, somewhere.
Water sitting there? Like if the rover peed it? It would rapidly evaporate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donnie B.
Honestly, Dfrank, why would NASA not investigate possible surface water, if such a thing were even remotely possible? It would be a stunning discovery, and the investigators would give substantial parts of their bodies to make a finding like that!
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Really. If they spotted water they'd trumpet it to the world. They've trumpeted hints of
ancient water! They proclaimed past damp soil that formed salts and concretions and festoons. They were so proud they beamed. They shouted out about the current water frost. They keep "following the water", in current and future missions. It's simply ludicrous to suggest they wouldn't flaunt an image of standing liquid water. No way.