A rock that has suddenly and inexplicably appeared right in front - TopicsExpress

A rock that has suddenly and inexplicably appeared right in front of the Opportunity rover on Mars, has left scientists baffled. Theyre guessing, of course. For the real answer, read all the way to the bottom. The small rock, about the size of a jelly doughnut, was not yet in any of the images taken by the rovers panoramic camera (or pancam) taken on sol 3528 (a sol refers to a Martian day, which Is equivalent to roughly 24 hours and 40 minutes). On sol 3540, however, the rock appeared on the images. The camera database for the pancam is being maintained by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, and staffers who work there had nicknamed the rock, Pinnacle Island. Scientists have theories on where the rock may have come from. The first theory says that the rover, while maneuvering, could possibly have caused the rock to flip over. Another theory, which scientists say is less likely, is that the rock came from a nearby meteor impact event. Steve Squyres, lead scientist of the NASA Mars Exploration Rover, explained how the rover itself might have caused the rock to tumble into place. Each of the rovers six wheels had an actuator, and Opportunitys front right steering has stopped working at the time. This meant that if that wheel turns against a rock it will cause a significant jitter thats strong enough to disturb the rock from where it used to be, and make it topple over to the spot where it was eventually spotted by the camera. So my best guess for this rock ... is that its something that was nearby, said Squyres. I must stress that Im guessing now, but I think it happened when the rover did a turn in place a meter or two from where this rock now lies. Of course we know this to be a load of nonsense. Reality is folks, that its evidence that there are Martians up there with a sense of humor. They waited til it was dark, and threw a rock at the thing. We know this is what it is, coz its exactly what wed have done: hide & confuse the hell out ofm !

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