Curiosity Rover Fires First Laser Beam At Martian Rock

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Curiosity Rover Fires First Laser Beam At Martian Rock

Posted by samzenpus on Sunday August 19, 2012 @12:00PM from the curiosity-shot-first dept.

A martian rock named "Coronation" was shot with 30 pulses over a 10-second period by Curiosity's laser today in order to determine what elements it was made of. “We got a great spectrum of Coronation — lots of signal,” Roger Wiens of Los Alamos National Laboratory, leader of the ChemCam scientific team, said in a press release today. “Our team is both thrilled and working hard, looking at the results. After eight years building the instrument, it’s payoff time!” Another rock known as N165 was selected for later testing.

167 comments

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Bagger 288 by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 12:02 · Score: 5, Funny

How long until we send a Bagger 288 to mars? That'll show those rocks what for.
1. Re:Bagger 288 by mirix · 2012-08-19 13:14 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  95% of the readers just wooshed.
  Bagger is series of gigantic bucket-wheel excavators, for the unitiated. Some (the biggest, at least) were made by East German TAKRAF. I think others were made in west.
  They made some pretty bizarre machines, like RB293 (of bagger series) and F60
  Gotta move that coal...
  
  --
  Sent from my PDP-11
2. Re:Bagger 288 by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 14:04 · Score: 0
  
  Ah, the benefits of karma.
  Bet you wished you signed in now, eh?
3. Re:Bagger 288 by Brad1138 · 2012-08-19 15:19 · Score: 2
  
  95% of the readers just wooshed.
  You underestimate how many of us Americans watch the History channel. Modern Marvels
  
  --
  If you could reason with religious people, there would be no religious people
4. Re:Bagger 288 by physburn · 2012-08-20 00:05 · Score: 2
  
  No how long before we get Sharks on Mars. We got the lasers now we need the shark!
5. Re:Bagger 288 by schroedingers_hat · 2012-08-20 00:14 · Score: 1
  
  I figured AC was also referencing this song about the bagger 288
6. Re:Bagger 288 by sycodon · 2012-08-20 01:41 · Score: 1
  
  But I thought they were all just called Monster Machines.
  
  --
  When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
7. Re:Bagger 288 by mcgrew · 2012-08-20 02:16 · Score: 1
  
  I'm glad they didn't name Curiosity "Shark," imagine how polluted this threads would have been with tired old jokes. Bad enough as it is...
  
  --
  Free Martian Whores!
I want to buy that rock by fustakrakich · 2012-08-19 12:03 · Score: 1, Redundant

Does it shoot back?

--
“He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
1. Re:I want to buy that rock by ackthpt · 2012-08-19 13:29 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  Does it shoot back?
  No. But what you didn't read about the Curiosity Rover landing was how the got the shark with the laser there.
  
  --
  
  A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
2. Re:I want to buy that rock by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 13:48 · Score: 1
  
  No. But what you didn't read about the Curiosity Rover landing was how the got the shark with the laser there.
  It was a Space Shark. Duh.
3. Re:I want to buy that rock by deek · 2012-08-19 14:24 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  I'm still waiting for the earth shattering kaboom. There was supposed to be an earth shattering kaboom. Especially if it tests a rock with illudium Q-36 in it.
4. Re:I want to buy that rock by Brad1138 · 2012-08-19 15:22 · Score: 2
  
  LOL, that is lost on too many these day.
  
  --
  If you could reason with religious people, there would be no religious people
5. Re:I want to buy that rock by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 15:45 · Score: 0
  
  Is it wrong I read that with the Martin voice?
6. Re:I want to buy that rock by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 16:24 · Score: 0
  
  Is it wrong I read that with the Martin voice?
  Is there any other way to read it?
7. Re:I want to buy that rock by Richard_at_work · 2012-08-19 18:48 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Wait for the George Lucas remastered documentary, and the rock will have fired first.
8. Re:I want to buy that rock by PaKL · 2012-08-19 18:53 · Score: 1
  
  Is it wrong I read that with the Martin voice?
  Is there any other way to read it?
  Of course not. Marvin forgot to patent the voice. Poor Marvin!
9. Re:I want to buy that rock by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 19:34 · Score: 1
  
  " illudium Q-36 "
  It's Illudium Pu-36 for the Earth-shattering kaboom.
  Q-36 is the suppository version.
10. Re:I want to buy that rock by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 20:45 · Score: 0
  
  When I saw the topic title, I knew Slashdot discussion would include clever and funny jokes. Discussion has exceeded my expectations, thanks all!
11. Re:I want to buy that rock by physburn · 2012-08-20 00:07 · Score: 1
  
  All article alluding to Pu-236 will be rated weopens grade.
12. Re:I want to buy that rock by Jeff+Carr · 2012-08-20 01:01 · Score: 1
  
  I'm still waiting for the earth shattering kaboom.
  That'd be a hell of a kaboom considering the Earth is quite a ways away.
  
  --
  The television will not be revolutionized.
13. Re:I want to buy that rock by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-20 01:43 · Score: 0
  
  Now, replace the needless racial reference with stupid gang bangers and that would be funny.
14. Re:I want to buy that rock by Whiteox · 2012-08-20 02:03 · Score: 1
  
  No it wasn't! It was a mutant space goat!
  
  --
  Don't be apathetic. Procrastinate!
15. Re:I want to buy that rock by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-20 05:24 · Score: 0
  
  Salsa shark.
16. Re:I want to buy that rock by Miseph · 2012-08-20 15:24 · Score: 1
  
  When they do this again in a few years, they'll make it so the rock actually shoots first.
  
  --
  Try not to take me more seriously than I take myself.
17. Re:I want to buy that rock by tedgyz · 2012-08-21 05:44 · Score: 1
  
  Refer to this chart
  
  --
  "No matter where you go, there you are." -- Buckaroo Banzai
This means war! by ColdWetDog · 2012-08-19 12:05 · Score: 5, Funny

You folks realize that this is very likely to result in a Council of War from the Elders. It's bad enough to litter the landscape with Earthling detritus, but offensive weaponry on innocent and passive Martian rocks cannot be tolerated!

--
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
1. Re:This means war! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 12:30 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  I wouldn't worry - once George Lucas re-edits the footage the rock will have fired first...
2. Re:This means war! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 12:31 · Score: 1
  
  K'Breel, Speaker for the Council of Elders will certainly have issues with such war mongering as...
  
  It’s so rich, we can expect great science [exploitation] from investigating what might be thousands of targets with ChemCam in the next two years.
  His response will be quick and just I'm sure.
3. Re:This means war! by outsider007 · 2012-08-19 12:32 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  We had a tip there were WMD's inside it.
  
  --
  If you mod me down the terrorists will have won
4. Re:This means war! by cvtan · 2012-08-19 13:04 · Score: 1
  
  Especially rocks that have names like N165.
  
  --
  Sorry, but gray text on gray background is making my eyes bleed.
5. Re:This means war! by Dunbal · 2012-08-19 14:23 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Too bad the heat shield landed accidentally on the Elders' primary residence.
  
  --
  Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
6. Re:This means war! by Cazekiel · 2012-08-19 16:43 · Score: 0
  
  You almost got me PMSL... good show, Sir or Madam...
  
  --
  You want to know how to help your kids? LEAVE THEM THE F*&K ALONE. --George Carlin
7. Re:This means war! by Tablizer · 2012-08-19 17:55 · Score: 1
  
  I wouldn't worry - once George Lucas re-edits the footage the rock will have fired first...
  Horta's do
  
  --
  Table-ized A.I.
8. Re:This means war! by theshowmecanuck · 2012-08-19 18:19 · Score: 1
  
  Feed him a hippy. He'll forget all about it.
  
  --
  -- I ignore anonymous replies to my comments and postings.
9. Re:This means war! by cvtan · 2012-08-20 01:35 · Score: 1
  
  1 Ð1Ð n07 m34n 70 $p34|{ £337 1n73n710n4££¥!
  
  --
  Sorry, but gray text on gray background is making my eyes bleed.
10. Re:This means war! by sycodon · 2012-08-20 01:46 · Score: 1
  
  Chuckie Schumer has already come out against needless inter-solar violence and wants a ten day waiting period on lasers.
  
  --
  When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
11. Re:This means war! by PrescriptionWarning · 2012-08-20 02:06 · Score: 1
  
  AC just made my day :)
12. Re:This means war! by mcgrew · 2012-08-20 03:42 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah, but it was self-defense; we were breaking all her eggs.
  And your unnecessary apostrophe makes you look uneducated.
  
  --
  Free Martian Whores!
13. Re:This means war! by Tablizer · 2012-08-21 18:10 · Score: 1
  
  Apostrophes are eggs too. They grow up to be guitar picks.
  
  --
  Table-ized A.I.
Rock by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 12:10 · Score: 0

I hereby dub the rock "Greedo" to open up the possibility for future expansions.
One problem... by destinyland · 2012-08-19 12:11 · Score: 5, Funny

What if the martians ARE rocks?!
1. Re:One problem... by grouchomarxist · 2012-08-19 12:14 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  One less to worry about...
2. Re:One problem... by Sulphur · 2012-08-19 12:35 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  What if the martians ARE rocks?!
  Its last words were "Don't laze me bro."
3. Re:One problem... by Trepidity · 2012-08-19 12:42 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Close!
  Now it's taken to social media to turn public opinion against lasing of rocks.
  
  --
  10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
4. Re:One problem... by BobNET · 2012-08-19 13:42 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Dammit Jim, I'm a doctor... not a bricklayer!
5. Re:One problem... by camperslo · 2012-08-19 13:59 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  What if the martians ARE rocks?!
  Maybe they feed on energy and like a fresh blast.
  Meanwhile, pet rocks on Earth are nervous. Hopefully this won't stir religious conflicts on Earth involving those who believe the spirits of their ancestors live in rocks.
  Curiosity will also be giving us data on energetic protons from solar events. Since Mars has essentially no magnetic field, much lower energy particles can reach ground level than on Earth. Measurements were made on the way there. From the background levels, it looks like about half makes it through the Martian atmosphere.
  Studying solar weather on Mars may provide some insights as to what to expect when our magnetic field at home weakens. It's dropped 10% or so in the last 150 years which is a relatively fast rate of change.
  http://www.stce.be/news/154/welcome.html
  http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=is-it-true-that-the-stren
6. Re:One problem... by Grayhand · 2012-08-19 14:13 · Score: 1
  
  What if the martians ARE rocks?!
  That explains the rock saying ouch, flipping the rover off and waddling away rubbing it's ass.
7. Re:One problem... by jamstar7 · 2012-08-19 15:24 · Score: 1
  
  We take them to Boulder, Colorado for a rock concert?
  
  --
  Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
8. Re:One problem... by atisss · 2012-08-19 19:53 · Score: 1
  
  At least they are given names.
9. Re:One problem... by roman_mir · 2012-08-19 19:59 · Score: 1
  
  Here is the raw footage, watch and decide for yourself.
  
  --
  You can't handle the truth.
10. Re:One problem... by Ihlosi · 2012-08-19 22:03 · Score: 1
  
  "Starflight" called and wants it plot back.
11. Re:One problem... by gdav · 2012-08-19 22:03 · Score: 1
  
  According to Thunderbirds are Go, the Martian rock-snakes will shoot back!.
12. Re:One problem... by Whiteox · 2012-08-20 02:10 · Score: 1
  
  Repeating myself here:
  
  "Hello! We are silicone based lifeforms and we invite you t....." (sizzle... pop! ... fizzz.....)
  
  --
  Don't be apathetic. Procrastinate!
13. Re:One problem... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-20 02:29 · Score: 0
  
  wow, you really don't understand science, do you? i suspect you will now bring in one of your sock puppets to champion your comment as somehow being funny? do your sock puppets get mod points, too, so they can mod your comments up on your behalf?
14. Re:One problem... by Forty+Two+Tenfold · 2012-08-20 08:05 · Score: 1
  
  What if the martians ARE rocks?!
  Then the mission is a Fiasco.
  
  --
  Upward mobility is a slippery slope - the higher you climb the more you show your ass.
15. Re:One problem... by Forty+Two+Tenfold · 2012-08-20 08:12 · Score: 1
  
  Nope.
  
  --
  Upward mobility is a slippery slope - the higher you climb the more you show your ass.
16. Re:One problem... by the_arrow · 2012-08-20 20:38 · Score: 1
  
  Since Mars has essentially no magnetic field,
  Well, it didn't have a magnetic field, but since it's mass recently increased 0.03% it now does.
  
  --
  / The Arrow
  "How lovely you are. So lovely in my straightjacket..." - Nny
Old mystery explained. by Bill+Currie · 2012-08-19 12:13 · Score: 5, Funny

So this is how Curiosity kills cats? I guess the next mission needs to be called Satisfaction.

--
Bill - aka taniwha
--
Leave others their otherness. -- Aratak
1. Re:Old mystery explained. by Nidi62 · 2012-08-19 12:50 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  I guess the next mission needs to be called Satisfaction.
  Except then we'd never get that mission...
  
  --
  The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
2. Re:Old mystery explained. by Dunbal · 2012-08-19 14:26 · Score: 1
  
  Or Schrodinger, because it was curiosity that caused him to open the box, but we all know it was the poison gas that really killed the cat. Or didn't.
  
  --
  Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
3. Re:Old mystery explained. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 14:47 · Score: 0
  
  Schrödinger?
4. Re:Old mystery explained. by bitingduck · 2012-08-19 15:36 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  I guess the next mission needs to be called Satisfaction.
  Except then we'd never get that mission...
  but we'll try, and we'll try...
5. Re:Old mystery explained. by Tablizer · 2012-08-19 17:57 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  It would start a pussy riot
  
  --
  Table-ized A.I.
6. Re:Old mystery explained. by codman1 · 2012-08-19 21:35 · Score: 1
  
  only if it take bubble wrap... and a hammer...
7. Re:Old mystery explained. by physburn · 2012-08-20 00:08 · Score: 1
  
  get no good reaction!
N165 == Coronation by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 12:17 · Score: 0

Summary said otherwise. N165 was the provisional name.
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=4492
More ad laden slashdot bullshit by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 12:20 · Score: 5, Informative

Anybody want to tell me why they don't link to the source
And anybody want to tell me why sppammers can post more frequently than I can?
1. Re:More ad laden slashdot bullshit by fisted · 2012-08-19 12:28 · Score: 0
  
  because you're AC, hence you can't do shit.
  
  Also, the other day you were gonna "leave slashdot for good". how come you're still here? leave already!
  
  --
  CLI paste? paste.pr0.tips!
2. Re:More ad laden slashdot bullshit by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 14:18 · Score: 1
  
  ...hence you can't do shit.
  Proxy, baby
  ...how come you're still here? leave already!
  Judging from your UID# it would appear that yours is one of the many spam/shill accounts that have flooded/invaded the site in recent times. It would do us all good if you would follow your own advice.
3. Re:More ad laden slashdot bullshit by drwho · 2012-08-19 14:34 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  damned kids, get off my lawn.
4. Re:More ad laden slashdot bullshit by Jeng · 2012-08-20 03:28 · Score: 1
  
  If you post under an account you are allowed to post more often.
  AC's are restricted in how often they post, and the more posts you do as an AC the longer the wait till you can post again.
  
  --
  Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
5. Re:More ad laden slashdot bullshit by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-20 03:42 · Score: 0
  
  Notice the summary is not credited to a reader submission? Notice how all the Mars stories link to wired? News for Nerds. Stuff that Wired paid for.
6. Re:More ad laden slashdot bullshit by thePowerOfGrayskull · 2012-08-20 09:20 · Score: 1
  
  Notice the summary is not credited to a reader submission? Notice how all the Mars stories link to wired? News for Nerds. Stuff that Wired paid for.
  Actually - you'll notice how the link still has feedburner crud embedded in it. I'd say someone came across it via their google reader account, pasted the link into a slashdot summary.
  Still doesn't excuse this particular submission getting promoted instead of one that properly linked to NASA.
Pew! Pew! Pew! by stevegee58 · 2012-08-19 12:22 · Score: 1

I missed the shark but at least I got in the first Pew! Pew! Pew!
Item drops by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 12:22 · Score: 5, Funny

In my experience of shooting lasers at rocks, there's usually a chance of finding a health pack or some coins.
Quite an expensive rock collection by PhrostyMcByte · 2012-08-19 12:22 · Score: 2

Indexing rocks on a different planet from 50-400 million km away. NASA has the greatest rock collection ever.
1. Re:Quite an expensive rock collection by aNonnyMouseCowered · 2012-08-19 12:37 · Score: 0
  
  "Indexing rocks on a different planet from 50-400 million km away. NASA has the greatest rock collection ever."
  Well if NASA has the greatest rock collection on another planet, I have the greatest art collection right here on Earth. But because of my extremely generous nature, I'm letting all you plebeians have a peek at it in Paris, London and New York.
2. Re:Quite an expensive rock collection by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 13:21 · Score: 0
  
  ...and I have, at the Met, the Tate, and the Louvre.
  Oh, I'm sorry, were you referring to imaginary attributes? Sorry to intrude.
  But think about leaving mom's basement some decade. Those really are fine museums.
3. Re:Quite an expensive rock collection by slew · 2012-08-19 13:34 · Score: 1
  
  Simply giving a name to something doesn't make it part of your collection...
  Unless perhaps you are Alexander Selkirk...
  
  I am monarch of all I survey,
  My right there is none to dispute;
  From the centre all round to the mare,
  But all are rocks so it is just moot.
  -Curiosity, with apologies to the *other* William... (Cowper)
4. Re:Quite an expensive rock collection by Sulphur · 2012-08-19 16:03 · Score: 1
  
  ...and I have, at the Met, the Tate, and the Louvre.
  Oh, I'm sorry, were you referring to imaginary attributes? Sorry to intrude.
  But think about leaving mom's basement some decade. Those really are fine museums.
  If you are thinking of stealing something, then may I suggest a guard. Some of them are incomparable.
5. Re:Quite an expensive rock collection by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-20 02:10 · Score: 0
  
  Damnit Marie! They're called minerals!
NASA link by caseih · 2012-08-19 12:24 · Score: 5, Informative

Here's a more official news link: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120819b.html. I hope they will announce soon the actual results of the spectroscopy somewhere.
Also a reminder that NASA's official page for this mission is:
http://www.nasa.gov/msl/. This is probably a better source for MSL news than wired.
Would it hurt slashdot editors to post the official NASA links as well as the submitted, third-party news links? We pay them to be editors after all.
1. Re:NASA link by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 14:08 · Score: 0
  
  Subscribers seemingly pay the editors for nothing too.
  What were you saying?
2. Re:NASA link by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 14:16 · Score: 0
  
  Are you a subscriber? If not, then you're not paying them for anything.
  So clicking on an ad generates no income for Slashdot? Interesting concept if true.
3. Re:NASA link by Dunbal · 2012-08-19 14:28 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  I pay them. You don't pay them. Especially not with ad-block.
  
  --
  Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
4. Re:NASA link by drwho · 2012-08-19 14:36 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Yea, I have given my two cents so often that, perhaps, I have contributed $5.00. So, that gives me rights!
5. Re:NASA link by deadl0ck · 2012-08-19 18:55 · Score: 2
  
  They have intermittent teleconferences at around 10:30 am, they should mention the info then. I think they said the next one was scheduled for Tuesday on Fridays conference. Check the news link posted also keep an eye on the ustream feed. http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl
  
  --
  --
6. Re:NASA link by deadl0ck · 2012-08-19 19:27 · Score: 2
  
  media event schedule for next week.
  http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2012-247&rn=news.xml&rst=3477
  
  --
  --
7. Re:NASA link by caseih · 2012-08-20 01:56 · Score: 1
  
  Are you just making assumptions based on statistics and demographics of slashdot readers, or do you know something that none of the rest of us do? Are you a paid subscriber?
  As for shutting off ads, slashdot has been offering to do that for me for the last year or two.
8. Re:NASA link by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-20 02:56 · Score: 0
  
  Dunbal has an asterisk after his user ID because he is a subscriber. You don't because you aren't.
9. Re:NASA link by Infiniti2000 · 2012-08-20 04:39 · Score: 1
  
  You must be new here.
10. Re:NASA link by lewiscr · 2012-08-20 10:56 · Score: 1
  
  He's drwho. He was new here last week, but this week he has a 4 digit UID.
Oh dear. by malacandrian · 2012-08-19 12:25 · Score: 1

If I know my Captain Scarlet (and I do), this is the beginning of the end.
Soon, it will start trundling, not locomoting. by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · 2012-08-19 12:31 · Score: 5, Funny

> A martian rock named "Coronation" was shot with 30 pulses
ZAPPED, God damn it!
Robots on Mars with freakin' laser beams and claws zap things!

--
(-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
This project needs a midwesterner. by daemonenwind · 2012-08-19 12:41 · Score: 4, Funny

Out here we know...don't name it if you're gonna shoot it.
1. Re:This project needs a midwesterner. by jamstar7 · 2012-08-19 15:32 · Score: 1
  
  Oh, be quiet and pass the Bambi-Burger(tm)
  
  --
  Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
You know, by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 12:42 · Score: 0

Can't stop the signal, Mal.
1. Re:You know, by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 12:49 · Score: 0
  
  Marry me, space cowboy.
The rock formerly known as N165 by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 12:43 · Score: 0

will be opening for Prince on his next world tour.. if he ever loses his religion.
And thus began what historians would call by Vinegar+Joe · 2012-08-19 12:52 · Score: 0, Troll

George Bush's First Interplanetary War.

--
"The average reporter we talk to is 27 years old......They literally know nothing." - Ben Rhodes
WAR!!! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 12:55 · Score: 0

This means WAR!!!
Atleast.. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 12:56 · Score: 0

It wasn't a shark...
Fail by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 12:56 · Score: 0

No sharks?
I, for one... by Zigurd · 2012-08-19 12:59 · Score: 4, Funny

We've put on Mars a large machine that blasts the landscape with a heat ray. A heat ray. And we have set the example that such a machine can be robotic, and impervious to microbes. That's sure to end well.

--
I wrote parts of this stuff
1. Re:I, for one... by Tablizer · 2012-08-19 18:14 · Score: 1
  
  Pic:
  http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/5869/623815-war_of_the_worlds_tripod_super.jpg
  
  --
  Table-ized A.I.
2. Re:I, for one... by Ihlosi · 2012-08-19 21:31 · Score: 1
  
  > And we have set the example that such a machine can be robotic, and impervious to microbes.
  Earth microbes, maybe. Mars microbes, on the other hand ...
3. Re:I, for one... by Trogre · 2012-08-20 10:14 · Score: 1
  
  Pah. The chances of anything going wrong in that respect are at least 10^6 to 1.
  
  --
  "Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
Laser or Heat-Ray by thoughtfulbloke · 2012-08-19 13:01 · Score: 5, Interesting

shot with 30 pulses over a 10-second period by Curiosity's laser today in order to determine what elements it was made of
or as H.G. Wells put it,

...the Martians rattle for a time and then become still. The giant saved Woking station and its cluster of houses until the last; then in a moment the Heat-Ray was brought to bear, and the town became a heap of fiery ruins. Then the Thing shut off the Heat-Ray, and turning its back...
1. Re:Laser or Heat-Ray by Col.+Bloodnok · 2012-08-19 13:59 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  My word! The only good thing about Woking is the fast service into London. The fiends!
NASA Fundraiser Alert by meglon · 2012-08-19 13:07 · Score: 5, Interesting

NASA should offer the chance to name each rock it blasts for a donation. They could probably get free advertising from science mags, oddball news organizations doing stories, and divorce lawyers.

--
Fascism: An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization. See also: NAZI's
1. Re:NASA Fundraiser Alert by Tablizer · 2012-08-19 18:17 · Score: 1
  
  Then you'd get secret anagrams for crazy causes. For example, a coded phrase that translates to "Obama's dog licked the pussy of a communist Kenyan Muslim cat" and shit like that.
  
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  Table-ized A.I.
2. Re:NASA Fundraiser Alert by Jeng · 2012-08-20 04:42 · Score: 1
  
  I'm up for the risk of someone doing something stupid as long as it gets more money into space exploration/study.
  
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  Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
Where is the earth-shattering boom? by EricTheGreen · 2012-08-19 13:20 · Score: 4, Funny

There was supposed to be an EARTH-SHATTERING BOOM!!!
1. Re:Where is the earth-shattering boom? by mjwx · 2012-08-19 14:14 · Score: 1
  
  There was supposed to be an EARTH-SHATTERING BOOM!!!
  It's meant to be an "earth-shattering ka-boom".
  
  Your failure to make this small, yet important distinction makes me very angry.
  
  --
  Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
2. Re:Where is the earth-shattering boom? by EricTheGreen · 2012-08-19 15:05 · Score: 1
  
  And thus does iPhone auto correct precipitate a tragic, needless intergalactic conflict....
  (Duly noted and thank you for the correction. Too bad I do not have a Illudium Q-36 explosive space modulator with which to alter the original post...)
3. Re:Where is the earth-shattering boom? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-20 00:33 · Score: 0
  
  Would you settle for a Mars shattering boom?
NASA never met a problem... by gman003 · 2012-08-19 13:34 · Score: 4, Interesting

it cannot solve with the proper use of rockets, lasers and in one notable case, duct tape.
Someone start a White House petition to rename NASA to "Federal Department of Rockets and Lasers". Because who in their right mind (or several of the wrong ones) would cut funding to the Department of Rockets and Lasers?
1. Re:NASA never met a problem... by queazocotal · 2012-08-19 16:02 · Score: 1
  
  LASERs.
  It's an acronym.
2. Re:NASA never met a problem... by gman003 · 2012-08-19 16:16 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  It originated as an acronym; it is now fully acceptable to use as a proper or even regular noun. Indeed, this seems to be the preferred usage, as shown by the Federal Department of Rockets and Laser's own usage.
  And I tend to defer to the Federal Department of Rockets and Lasers in matters regarding all things laser and/or rocket.
3. Re:NASA never met a problem... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 18:19 · Score: 1
  
  The Department of Lasers already exists though and has an even cooler name, the National Ignition Facility.
4. Re:NASA never met a problem... by cffrost · 2012-08-19 21:06 · Score: 1
  
  it cannot solve with the proper use of rockets, lasers and in one notable case, duct tape.
  Someone start a White House petition to rename NASA to "Federal Department of Rockets and Lasers". Because who in their right mind (or several of the wrong ones) would cut funding to the Department of Rockets and Lasers?
  roman_mir? ;o)
  
  --
  Thank you, Edward Snowden.
  
  "Arguments from authority are worthless." —Carl Sagan
5. Re:NASA never met a problem... by Whiteox · 2012-08-20 02:19 · Score: 1
  
  LASERs.
  It's an acronym.
  
  You missed the periods
  L.A.S.E.R.s
  
  --
  Don't be apathetic. Procrastinate!
Why name the rock right before you vaporize it? by zindorsky · 2012-08-19 14:04 · Score: 1

Maybe they shouldn't have named it first? I bet it's harder to vaporize a rock after it like has an identity and stuff.

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If the geiger counter does not click, the coffee, she is not thick.
Earth has Invaded Mars with a laser-wielding robot by w0mprat · 2012-08-19 14:18 · Score: 4, Funny

You know your technological civilization has reached a certain level when you send a robot to another planet to shoot shit with fricken lasers.

Early days yet, can only sizzle a bit of rock. Today, some scientific samples, tomorrow the galaxy!

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After logging in slashdot still does not take you back to the page you were on. It's been that way for 20 years.
In related news ... by PPH · 2012-08-19 14:30 · Score: 5, Funny

... Martians seek asylum with Ecuador.

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Have gnu, will travel.
1. Re:In related news ... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 16:23 · Score: 0
  
  Haven't you heard? US does not recognize political asylum.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWS-FoXbjVI
2. Re:In related news ... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 23:44 · Score: 0
  
  ... Martians seek asylum with Ecuador.
  If I was the Martian government, I'd go after those rocks too for leaking valuable Martian info to the Earthlings
3. Re:In related news ... by PPH · 2012-08-20 03:58 · Score: 1
  
  Haven't you heard? US does not recognize political asylum.
  I hear that a lot lately. Particularly in Miami.
  
  --
  Have gnu, will travel.
Pffft... Star Wars... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 14:40 · Score: 0

Sensible people realize that we must act now to SAVE THE HORTA!!!
Let's mount lasers on other stuff by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 14:45 · Score: 0

Sure, we can mount a laser on a rover on Mars, but we can't mount one ON A FREAKIN' SHARK ON EARTH?!?! Unbelieveable...
If we had given the one hundred billion dollars to Dr. Evil instead of NASA, then this never would have been a problem...
Reporter from Mars by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 14:53 · Score: 0

A reporter from Mars said: "I for one welcome our nuclear powered laser firing alien robot overlord".
Ha ha ha ha! by multicoregeneral · 2012-08-19 15:05 · Score: 1

The death worked.... if only there was something other than rocks to shoot at.

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This signature intentionally left blank.
Even better by subreality · 2012-08-19 15:29 · Score: 3, Funny

NASA should offer the chance to laser-engrave your name on a Martian rock. For megabucks, they could write your name in giant cursive with the rover's wheel tracks; all applications must include a program written in LOGO.
1. Re:Even better by giorgist · 2012-08-19 21:02 · Score: 1
  
  And then the dust devils will come and wipe it off ... you'd have better luck with the moon on that one. Please lets not have sponsorship, the last thing we want is the rover doing cursive loops hopping it will come to something interesting, or have everything named after a cheap product. I'd much rather they honor somebody worthy and let some geek draw questionable stuff.
2. Re:Even better by subreality · 2012-08-19 22:07 · Score: 1
  
  And then the dust devils will come and wipe it off ...
  That's a feature, not a bug! It'd give the corporate sponsors some coverage without permanently defacing the surface of the planet.
3. Re:Even better by sciencewhiz · 2012-08-20 07:59 · Score: 1
  
  When curiosity starts driving, it will leave JPL written in morse code in the sand. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Curiosity_wheel_pattern_morse_code.png
Re:$300 by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 16:30 · Score: 0

Hi Point C9 9mm. You can get it for HALF of that $300. Leave the rest to your favorite charity.
Sure! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 16:49 · Score: 0

Go off to alien worlds, start shooting up the place with lasers. Pretty soon, a little guy that looks like he has a roman soldiers hat on and a 1950's pair of athletic sneakers on comes up to your ship and starts muttering to himself "Where's the kaboom! There was supposed to be an earth shattering kaboom!" Only his gun is bigger than yours, his is an Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator! Hey NASA: What would your mother say? Is your mother proud of you?
But can it sing? by Cazekiel · 2012-08-19 16:50 · Score: 0

Now I'm picturing Curiosity roaming around, singing, "On planet Mars, I feel safest of all, no more humans around, and I get to shoot rocks, on Mars..."

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You want to know how to help your kids? LEAVE THEM THE F*&K ALONE. --George Carlin
War of the Worlds Gutenberg ebook by mattr · 2012-08-19 16:52 · Score: 1

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/36/36-h/36-h.htm
Just realized I have seen the film adaptations but had never actually read the original work. Just skimming it, it looks good! It starts out with a guy and a telescope seeing some outgassing from the rim of Mars.. and then discovering an ash-covered cylinder in a crater... that starts unscrewing its end!
1. Re:War of the Worlds Gutenberg ebook by mattr · 2012-08-19 16:54 · Score: 1
  
  p.s. that was the HTML version. The link to the downloadable ebooks is:
  http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/36
Title incomplete. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-19 17:37 · Score: 0

The title is incomplete and should read, "Curiosity Rover Fires First Laser Beam At Martian Rock. Sparks interplanetary war. Some Martians Welcome Their New Earthling Overlords."
Re:Plant a fucking flag. by Tablizer · 2012-08-19 18:19 · Score: 1

And smoked a cigaret when done

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Table-ized A.I.
Re:Earth has Invaded Mars with a laser-wielding ro by roman_mir · 2012-08-19 19:57 · Score: 1

Johny 5 is ALIVE!!!!!

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You can't handle the truth.
We come in peace by Roger+Lindsjo · 2012-08-19 20:03 · Score: 3, Funny

Sorry about crashing in on you, we come in peace, I promise. I'll just fire my laser for a while over there. No hard feelings right?
It's only one way of several. by Ihlosi · 2012-08-19 21:26 · Score: 1

The laser is only for cats the keep a respectful distance. Any other cat will be irradiated to death with neutrons from the on-board fusion reactor (the one in the DAN experiment).
New mad scientist pet by Sparticus789 · 2012-08-20 00:41 · Score: 1

Rover's with friggin laser beams!

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sudo make me a sandwich
Putting all humor aside..... by 3seas · 2012-08-20 00:53 · Score: 1

... to find me, turn the rock over, NOT blast it with a laser... jeeze
All those movies about Mars invading.. by luvirini · 2012-08-20 01:51 · Score: 1

.. and we send a laser armed robot to Mars to shoot up the locals disguised as rocks.
The 'secrets' of Curiosity by SternisheFan · 2012-08-20 02:09 · Score: 1

Wired has this neat article... http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/08/curiositys-secrets/
What We Really Hope For by Toad-san · 2012-08-20 02:28 · Score: 1

http://www.whkeith.com/bolo-art.html
http://www.whkeith.com/graphics/bolo-mark-xxiv.jpg
You know you do.
We get this:
http://www.johnny-five.com/layout/newlogo.jpg
But we want this:
http://www.pinktentacle.com/images/terminator_2_large.jpg
or even this!
http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/5493/266530-battletech.jpg
Sigh ...
Quatermass and the Pit by Whiteox · 2012-08-20 02:33 · Score: 1

A classic take on the Martians
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTiZJFRRlwE

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Don't be apathetic. Procrastinate!
Just think... by BitwizeGHC · 2012-08-20 03:50 · Score: 1

According to H.G. Wells, Mars would have been the first to send vehicles to fire laser beams at us...

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N4st0r, trixx0r h0bb1tz0rz! Th3y st0l3 0ur pr3c10uzz!
Re:Money well spent! by Jeng · 2012-08-20 04:48 · Score: 1

So, what are you doing in your daily life to help with those things that you think should be the one and only focus of mankind?

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Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
Including you! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-20 06:16 · Score: 0

Should have posted the rathergood link too. whoops!
BAGGER 288 BAGGER 288!!!!!!!
Fuck that by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-20 06:18 · Score: 0

I want the RAW spectra
the 1 rock that had aliens and we killed it by Anonymous Coward · 2012-08-20 11:19 · Score: 0

there will be aliens inside the rock and we killed them..... and frist and last chance to meet intellegence life destroyed from the pluse of 1 laser beam on a rock,