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Martian Rocks Land In Morocco

Hugh Pickens writes "Scientists have confirmed chemically a recent and rare invasion from Mars with 15 pounds of fresh Martian rocks falling in Morocco last July. A special committee of meteorite experts, which includes some NASA scientists, confirmed the test results Tuesday certifying that the meteorites recently collected came from Mars. The biggest rock weighs more than 2 pounds. Astronomers think that millions of years ago something big smashed into Mars that sent fragments hurtling through the solar system. Occasionally, some fall on Earth."

11 of 95 comments (clear)

  1. No tripods? by roc97007 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Ok, someone had to say it.

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    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  2. They Certainly Do Get Around by sehlat · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Like Webster's Dictionary They're Morocco Bound..."

  3. Re:The chances of anything coming from Mars... by Ransom1969 · · Score: 5, Informative

    These folks are quoting War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, InternetGuy. It's a joke.

  4. It seems, by popeye44 · · Score: 4, Funny

    They put one heck of a throwing arm on those Rovers.

    --
    Inane Comments are Generously Disregarded
  5. Re:And people wonder... by Microlith · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It takes a special kind of person to assume they're making blind judgements (like yourself) and not acting with evidence.

    how the heck do they know these rocks came from Mars?

    Who knows? We could find out, but you've already concluded that they're just making shit up so there's no point to investigating I suppose.

    I mean the moon is full of craters, so I assume it's been hit once or twice. And I'm sure a good hit could have sent such debris into long orbits.

    Lunar rocks have a very well known composition. I'm sure it's possible to discern between Lunar, Earth, Martian, and non-planetary rocks. But you've got no clue how nor have you looked up any possible means of identifying them so it's all just hokum, right?

    This is like me finding a pair of old eye glasses and exclaiming they must have been Ben Franklins since he wore eye glasses.

    Is it really? Do you suppose they would do something so stupid, when they could readily be countered?

    My brain hurts now. Thanks.

  6. Mars Attacks! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    K'Breel Jr. addresses the Council:

    "Council Members, Friends, Countrymen, Dad: A few Solar orbits ago, we set about on a secret project on the feasibility of attacking the Blue World, using a plan ("Robert Heinlein - The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress") devised by the Blue Worlders themselves. Today I am happy to report that our plan is a smashing success; we have dropped a few test rocks on a place called Morocco. The next phase of our plan involves more rocks, and much heavier rocks, aimed at all of the Blue World's space launching facilities! Glory to Mars! Glory to the Council! Glory to K'Breel!"

  7. Re:And people wonder... by omganton · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Scientists have confirmed chemically..." This seems to sum it up pretty well. The constituents of Mars differ from that of Earth, the Moon, or any other rocky entity that we scan, test or study. We know the Moon was once a part of Earth because it shares similar chemical makeup to that of Earth. That being said, the eons that have passed, and more precisely, the organic alterations that have taken place on Earth have modified the chemical makeup of Earth's crust enough to differentiate between a sample collected here or there. While it could be coincidence, you could equate this to finding a MacDonald's cup across the street from McDonald's. Could it have come from another McDonald's? Sure, but it probably came from the closest one, and it sure as hell didn't come from the Burger King down the street.

  8. Re:And people wonder... by bmo · · Score: 5, Informative

    Because of their composition, numbnuts. You know, inorganic chemistry is a good place to start.

    Start here.

    https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&rls=en&q=mars+meteorites+minerals

    http://www.imca.cc/mars/martian-meteorites.htm

    Try reading something for a change instead of immediately dismissing things you don't instantly understand.

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    BMO

  9. Re:And people wonder... by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 3, Informative

    Don't get me wrong, I agree with you. That said, it is worthwhile to question so-called experts to find out how they came to their conclusions, rather than saying, "Gosh, he's smarter than me--he's get letters after his name and everything!" At the very least, you learn something.

    Of course, if he had RTFA, he might have a clue about how these people determined that these rocks came from Mars:

    Scientists can tell when meteorites are from Mars because they know what the Martian atmosphere is made of, thanks to numerous probes sent there. The chemical signature of the rocks and the Martian air match, Irving said. Another clue is that because planets like Mars are more geologically active, its rocks tend to be much younger - millions of years old instead of hundreds of millions or more - than those from the moon or asteroids.

    So, no, it's not like they said, "A rock fell from the sky! It must have been from Mars!"

  10. Obligatory by Tablizer · · Score: 3, Funny

    In Soviet Russia, Mars lands on you.

  11. Re:And people wonder... by Tablizer · · Score: 3, Funny

    how the heck do they know these rocks came from Mars?

    Well, the "Made on Mars" label is one clue.