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Possible Meteorite Imaged By Opportunity Rover

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the marvin-is-right-behind-it dept.

Matt_dk writes "The Opportunity rover has eyed an odd-shaped, dark rock, about 0.6 meters (2 feet) across on the surface of Mars, which may be a meteorite. The team spotted the rock called 'Block Island,' on July 18, 2009, in the opposite direction from which it was driving. The rover then backtracked some 250 meters (820 feet) to study it closer. Scientists will be testing the rock with the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer to get composition measurements and to confirm if indeed it is a meteorite."

5 of 82 comments (clear)

  1. Wow! by hansede · · Score: 4, Funny

    Looks like the Monolith was discovered on Mars. For some reason I was expecting it to be found on the Moon . . .

  2. Late-Breaking News from the Council by Tackhead · · Score: 5, Funny
    Citizens of our peaceful red world stand engorged with pride, as confirmation has come in that the second of the robotic invaders from the blue planet has been immobilized. K'Breel, speaker for the Council of Elders, made the announcement from his flagship:

    When we embarked upon this campaign, we had no idea how long it would take. Having buried the first monstrosity up to its wheels in the ashes of legions of the blue planet's soldiers, our Kinetic Bombardment Force has turned its attention to the region infested by the monstrosity's evil twin. Rejoice, podmates, for even the blue planet's own puerile propaganda illustrates that their second robotic monstrosity now stands paralyzed with fear!

    When a journalist suggested that the blue planet's robot had merely paused to inspect a meteorite, K'Breel had the traitor's gelsacs stapled to the heat shield of his flagship, and initiated re-entry procedures.

  3. Meteorite From Earth by geoffrobinson · · Score: 4, Funny

    It would be humorous if the meteorite on Mars was of Earth origin (blow back from Earth getting hit by something). We found evidence of life on Mars! Err, it's from Earth.

    --
    Except for ending slavery, the Nazis, communism, & securing American independence, war has never solved anything.
  4. Re:NASA should make RC toys by James+Skarzinskas · · Score: 5, Funny

    IE users?

  5. Re:I bet its an obelisk by davester666 · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's probably an native crouching down, thinking "if I just stay still, maybe it won't probe me".

    No chance, because paybacks a bitch. Now, we just need to figure out which end is the front and which is the back...

    --
    Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!