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Curiosity Rover Fires First Laser Beam At Martian Rock

Posted by samzenpus on 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.

10 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. Bagger 288 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    How long until we send a Bagger 288 to mars? That'll show those rocks what for.

  2. This means war! by ColdWetDog · · 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 · · Score: 5, Funny

      I wouldn't worry - once George Lucas re-edits the footage the rock will have fired first...

  3. One problem... by destinyland · · Score: 5, Funny

    What if the martians ARE rocks?!

    1. Re:One problem... by grouchomarxist · · Score: 5, Funny

      One less to worry about...

    2. Re:One problem... by Sulphur · · Score: 5, Funny

      What if the martians ARE rocks?!

      Its last words were "Don't laze me bro."

  4. Old mystery explained. by Bill+Currie · · 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

  5. Item drops by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    In my experience of shooting lasers at rocks, there's usually a chance of finding a health pack or some coins.

  6. Soon, it will start trundling, not locomoting. by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · 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!

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    (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
  7. In related news ... by PPH · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... Martians seek asylum with Ecuador.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.