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Mars Rover Solves Metallic Object Mystery, Unearths Another
SchrodingerZ writes "Last week the Mars Curiosity Rover spotted a shiny metallic-looking object in the martian soil. This week scientists have confirmed that it is plastic that has fallen off the 1-ton rover. However, the discovery of this trans-planetary littering has opened up another mystery for the science team. On October 12th the rover took a sample of soil from the ground, feeding it into its Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) instruments for analysis, and a picture of the hole dug by the rover's claw revealed metallic particles in the dirt. The sample was subsequently dropped due to fears that particles from the rover had made it into the dirt. Further study now suggests that the metallic particles are actually native to Mars, as the photo reveals that they are embedded in the soil in clumps. In 2007 the older rover Spirit found evidence of silica for the first time, more testing will occur over the next few days to determine truly if this is again just Curiosity's littler, or something more profound."
>> Nothing would kick-start a race to Mars like greed.
Well, that and the opportunity to litter.
I call that sustainable living.
. .
Nuggets the size of your fist! Don't tell anyone!
If your nuggets are the size of your fist, you should probably tell your doctor.
systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
Are they sure it isn't a Land Rover?
Have gnu, will travel.
Might I recommend, as much as is possible, pack your trash.
On the contrary. If I had the chance to go to Mars today, I'd take with me:
A recent newspaper, a can of beer and a half-eaten sandwich.
Then I'd place them somewhere were Curiosity was likely to spot it, and return to Earth silently.
And probably run around with a huge grin on my face for the rest of my life.
There are fewer illiterates than people who can't read.
Well, that and the opportunity to litter.
The word you're looking for is terraforming. Makes it sound all scientificy.
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!