Amateur Astronomer Spots Strange Cloud Formations On Mars

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Amateur Astronomer Spots Strange Cloud Formations On Mars

Posted by timothy on Sunday March 25, 2012 @02:58AM from the he-loves-it dept.

techfun89 writes "Mars has returned to our evening skies as it does every two years. This time it is getting even more attention and buzz than it normally would. Amateur astronomer Wayne Jaeschke of West Chester Pennsylvania noticed an unusual protrusion in the planet's southern hemisphere, preceding the sunrise terminator. Several things may have contributed to this strange 'cloud formation.' One possibility is a meteoric impact event, where dust was spewed up into the atmosphere. Another could be a major dust storm, which are typical on Mars. Of course, it could be something more mundane; that these observations were caused by a mere optical illusion via a type of glint that occurred due to having just the right combination of lighting and atmospheric conditions. Some suggest volcanic activity, though this is unlikely given it has been 20 to 200 million years since lava has flowed on Mars."

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Poorly-written article by EmagGeek · 2012-03-25 03:04 · Score: 5, Interesting

The linked article is fairly contradictory on several points. The glaring one is this:
" It was first seen on the evening of March 20th. Jaeschke alerted the international Mars observing community about the odd "extension" at 190.5Â east, 43.7Â south, just before the area that rotates into daylight. The odd feature was visible in all color-filtered exposures from near-infrared to blue light. Jaeschke produced the animation below.
The feature was also reportedly captured by other amateur astronomers over the past few nights. Some astronomers in Europe have seen it as far back as March 12th."
So, it was NOT first seen on the 20th, but rather on the 12th in Europe, and the guy in West Chester is not the discoverer of it.
1. Re:Poorly-written article by pooh666 · 2012-03-25 03:13 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  At first I thought your post was just the standard ./ guy being picky, but yeah totaly agree. To me, even worst than the dates, I don't see a single thing about this guy's equipment or methods, to me in a "tech" article that would almost be first thing.
2. Re:Poorly-written article by Charliemopps · 2012-03-25 03:43 · Score: 1, Informative
  
  Because Obama would NEVER invade or attempt to topple a government right?
3. Re:Poorly-written article by Roceh · 2012-03-25 03:49 · Score: 2
  
  This article http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/23/10831821-mysterious-cloud-spotted-on-mars says that it has 'since' been found in images going back to the 12th.
4. Re:Poorly-written article by techno-vampire · 2012-03-25 04:22 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  Once somethng new's been discovered, astronmers take another look at recent observations to see if they found it too. It's not at all uncommon to find images of it in photos taken before the official discovery. The discoverer isn't the first person to see it but the first person to recognize it as something new and report it.
  
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5. Re:Poorly-written article by MacGyver2210 · 2012-03-25 04:35 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Did you actually click the link and begin reading?
  
  From Jaeschke's website, it appears he is using a 14" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope along with an imaging system that includes a Point Grey Research Flea3 monochrome CCD camera with Astrodon and Astronomik Diochroic filters.
  
  --
  If the only way you can accept an assertion is by faith, then you are conceding that it can't be taken on its own merits
6. Re:Poorly-written article by amiga3D · 2012-03-25 05:52 · Score: 2
  
  Only if he was told to by the same people that told President Bush to invade Iraq.
7. Re:Poorly-written article by mug+funky · 2012-03-25 14:58 · Score: 1
  
  yes! Occupy Mars!
  if you're the 99%, get your ass to Mars!
8. Re:Poorly-written article by demachina · 2012-03-26 05:16 · Score: 1
  
  Obama hasn't toppled a government over a fabricated claim they are making WMD's, yet. If he invades Iran then maybe you will have him. Though Iran seem to be actually developing nukes, and those are the countries we generall DON'T invade, reference North Korea and Pakistan.
  Its not clear Obama has even toppled a government yet. Libya is the only one that is even close and that was more Italy, France and NATO leading that charge than the U.S. and that was for oil not WMD's. Libya completely abandoned WMD's during the Bush administration.
  I referenced Bush/Cheney because they actually did topple the government in Iraq over a false WMD claim, not because I particularly like or Obama or think he would be any different if the opportunity arose.
  
  --
  @de_machina
Meteorite impact? Dust storm? Optical illusion? by impaledsunset · 2012-03-25 03:10 · Score: 3, Funny

Everyone knows that the cloud formation is caused by a rocket launch.
1. Re:Meteorite impact? Dust storm? Optical illusion? by Forty+Two+Tenfold · 2012-03-25 03:22 · Score: 1
  
  While the other possibility is the more mundane, that these observations were caused by a mere optical illusion via [mirror or lens artifacts or a drop of water on either].
  FTFY, EOT.
  
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2. Re:Meteorite impact? Dust storm? Optical illusion? by Belial6 · 2012-03-25 06:21 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  If it has been seen by different astronomers using different equipment, it is highly unlikely to be a problem on the earthbound equipment side of things.
3. Re:Meteorite impact? Dust storm? Optical illusion? by capnkr · 2012-03-25 07:17 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  WTG Disney, with your "John Carter" movie viral marketing campaign. Impressive effort!
  
  --
  "...there are some things that can beat smartness and foresight. Awkwardness and stupidity can." ~ Mark Twain
4. Re:Meteorite impact? Dust storm? Optical illusion? by SpaceLifeForm · 2012-03-25 09:30 · Score: 1
  
  Venting. Pre-departure preparations. Don't worry, you have years before they leave.
  
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  You are being MICROattacked, from various angles, in a SOFT manner.
5. Re:Meteorite impact? Dust storm? Optical illusion? by tehcyder · 2012-03-26 00:16 · Score: 1
  
  WTG Disney, with your "John Carter" movie viral marketing campaign. Impressive effort!
  It hasn't helped to make the film any less of a financial and critical disaster.
  
  --
  To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
6. Re:Meteorite impact? Dust storm? Optical illusion? by Rogerborg · 2012-03-26 00:23 · Score: 1
  
  Good. I find their Deja Thoris strictly comparable. Needs to be more red and a lot more nekkid.
  
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OT: Psychic Norah Ad ? by frenchbedroom · 2012-03-25 03:10 · Score: 1

Why the hell does this article show up in my RSS reader with an ad for "Psychic" -yeah, right- Norah? Can't Google Ads make the distinction between astronomy and astrology?
1. Re:OT: Psychic Norah Ad ? by wonkey_monkey · 2012-03-25 04:14 · Score: 1
  
  Those who would click on such an ad probably can't, and Google probably knows that.
  
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  systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
2. Re:OT: Psychic Norah Ad ? by ConceptJunkie · 2012-03-25 06:54 · Score: 1
  
  Ditto wonkey_monkey's comment. Maybe Google realizes the same people who would buy into astrology would buy into psychic stuff and would also not discriminate either from astronomy. It's pretty cynical, but there's probably something to it.
  
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A strange cloud formation can mean only one thing. by beanpoppa · 2012-03-25 03:18 · Score: 1

...invasion!
Re:But .... Aliens by Black+Parrot · 2012-03-25 03:29 · Score: 1, Funny

You mean he didn't blame aliens?
I, for one, welcome our new Farting Martian overlords.

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Upon closer inspection by Centurix · 2012-03-25 03:39 · Score: 2

It looks like a weather balloon filled with swamp gas...

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Task Mangler
1. Re:Upon closer inspection by JWSmythe · 2012-03-25 06:03 · Score: 1
  
  Checking the chart You may be right.
  
  --
  Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
Ogilvie assured me by TheGoodNamesWereGone · 2012-03-25 03:58 · Score: 1

The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million-to-one. I wouldn't worry about it folks.
something to consider by FudRucker · 2012-03-25 04:02 · Score: 1

if there is not enough oxygen in the thin Mars atmosphere what if natural gas in the ground occasionally erupts but does not ignite (if there is no ignition or lack of oxygen)

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1. Re:something to consider by msauve · 2012-03-25 04:21 · Score: 1
  
  Natural gas coming from the ancient buried forests on Mars? Maybe we should drill for oil there!
  
  --
  "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
2. Re:something to consider by FudRucker · 2012-03-25 06:12 · Score: 1
  
  fossils of plants & animals are not the only source of natural gas, carbon is among the most common elements in the universe and that also comes from stars
  
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  Politics is Treachery, Religion is Brainwashing
Wells and Welles by tverbeek · 2012-03-25 04:14 · Score: 1

Clearly this has been caused by the rocket engines of a military force, on its way to Earth as we speak! Time to break out the biological weapons!

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Rovers to the Rescue by MacGyver2210 · 2012-03-25 04:32 · Score: 1

So if we can see it from Earth, shouldn't you be able to see it from one of the various devices we have stationed on/around Mars? Can't we grab the camera and pan around to see if there are any towering pillars of smoke/dust/clouds hanging around?

--
If the only way you can accept an assertion is by faith, then you are conceding that it can't be taken on its own merits
1. Re:Rovers to the Rescue by JWSmythe · 2012-03-25 06:10 · Score: 1
  
  Proximity is a bitch. Someone in New York can't see a hurricane hitting Florida. To the best of my knowledge, we don't have any working probes on or around Mars at this time. So, you're seeing it.
  
  --
  Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
2. Re:Rovers to the Rescue by Sperbels · 2012-03-25 10:41 · Score: 2
  
  To the best of my knowledge, we don't have any working probes on or around Mars at this time
  Not even close. Mars Odyssey, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and Mars Express are all still operating in orbit. The Opportunity rover is still functioning on the surface, but I suspect it's nowhere near the cloud.
3. Re:Rovers to the Rescue by Muad'Dave · 2012-03-26 00:35 · Score: 1
  
  To the best of my knowledge, we don't have any working probes on or around Mars at this time.
  Then "the best of your knowledge" is pretty darned poor. It states right there in the article that you clearly didn't read that:
  
  Hill and his team will be looking at the area of the formation using the Thermal Emission Imaging System or THEMIS, one of the instruments on the NASA Mars Odyssey orbiter. THEMIS will also check out heightened cloud activity around Mars' shield volcanoes as well as around the southern site spotted by the amateurs.
  [Emphasis mine]
  
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Re:A strange cloud formation can mean only one thi by ae1294 · 2012-03-25 04:44 · Score: 2

...invasion!
So it has come to this...
UUUULAAAA! by EdZ · 2012-03-25 04:47 · Score: 1

Rocket? No.

At midnight on the twelfth of August^h^h^h^h^h^h March, a huge mass of luminous gas erupted from Mars and sped towards Earth. Across two hundred million miles of void, invisibly hurtling towards us, came the first of the missiles that were to bring so much calamity to Earth.
1. Re:UUUULAAAA! by Plunky · 2012-03-25 08:11 · Score: 1
  
  Listen, the chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one. Its not going to happen.
Re:Blah blah obligatory I for one by Ihmhi · 2012-03-25 05:57 · Score: 1, Funny

I've got an unusual protrusion in my southern hemisphere, if you know what I mean.

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Who's watching Grover's Mills, NJ? by Analog+Guru · 2012-03-25 05:59 · Score: 1

Just asking'.
Perhaps K'Breel, leader of the Council... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-25 07:12 · Score: 2, Insightful

Perhaps K'Breel, leader of the Council can enlighten us ?
1. Re:Perhaps K'Breel, leader of the Council... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-25 09:33 · Score: 1
  
  Perhaps K'Breel, leader of the Council can enlighten us ?
  
  K'Breel, Speaker for the Council, announced: GO ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IS HAPPENING, CITIZENS!
  There is no huge mass of luminous gas that has erupted from our world, and if there were, it would not be speeding towards the blue planet, across some REDACTED distance of void, invisibly (for REDACTED values of invisibility) hurtling towards it. And if perchance such a thing were to have happened, the cloud would not contain the REDACTED of the REDACTEDs that would, if they were present, which they are not, bring so much calamity to the robotic denizens of that foul blue world.
  When an anonymous citizen requested further information from the Council, K'Breel had the citizen's gelsacs REDACTED as an object lesson in operational security: "loose sacs get whacks!"
Smoke signals by whizbang77045 · 2012-03-25 09:16 · Score: 1

As an advanced civilization, the Marsmen have given up higher technology. They're trying to communicate with us by smoke signal.
Re:Is anybody tracking these things? by Sperbels · 2012-03-25 10:51 · Score: 1

So is anyone watching? Would we need a set of Mars based telescopes to do that effectively, and wouldn't that be a cool project?
Yes. No. And Yes.
oh that's easy by circletimessquare · 2012-03-25 13:54 · Score: 1

the cloud is formed from all the money Disney burned and lost to make and market John Carter of Mars

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Dust storm? Don't think so. by mbone · 2012-03-25 22:47 · Score: 3, Insightful

When Mariner 9 (and 2 Soviet Mars orbiters) the planet was having the worst dust storm in decades. The entire surface was basically invisible from orbit, which hasn't happened since.
The reason I bring this is up is that this storm did not reach above the atmosphere. It was observed from Earth, but caused nothing like the pictures of the recent event - and that was more or less the biggest storm ever seen. So, if this is real, I don't think it's a dust storm.
Re:Is anybody tracking these things? by Muad'Dave · 2012-03-26 00:41 · Score: 1

There are people that video the moon's shadowed portion looking for the signs of meteor impact. Search google for "lunar impact flashes". Here's one:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news/lunar/program_overview.html

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Tiller's Rule: Never use a word in written form that you've only heard and never read. You will end up looking foolish.