Odd Object in Martian Soil

On Sol 65 of the Spirit Rover's trek, when it was about 30 meters (~100 feet) from its landing site, two onboard cameras imaged a strange object. Resembling a corroded washer, the apparent artifact was half-buried in sand. Another resemblance of the item is that of a crinoid stem, in cross-section. While conceivably a lost part of the lander, it seems too distant for that possibility. Though the landing pod did bounce across the Martian surface, it is almost inconceivable that parts flew off of it. After all, the landing was quite successful. The URLs listed below link directly to each respective camera's images.

marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov...

marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov...

[Edited on 12-3-2004 by Kano]

It looks like an old fossil I saw years ago. I can't remember what it was, but it was some kind of sea plant I think. I'll see if I can find a photo. Alternatively it could just be a flat stone - I don't think its part of the lander.

Or maybe the greys lost their frisbee

[Edited on 12-3-2004 by Pisky]

Looks more like a print from a leg where it has compressed the soil....

nope, I'm wrong see this its definitly under the ground

marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov...

It has obviously been of interest to NASA....

[Edited on 12-3-2004 by Netchicken]

Look at the shadows before flying off the handle shall we.

marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov...
marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov...

Its an indentation, made by the M�ssbauer Spectrometer on the Rover.

This thing:


(Also discussed here: www.abovetopsecret.com... )

[Edited on 12-3-2004 by Kano]

Actually I disagree Kano...

From this pic here, and from the black shadow in the forground it looks like an object with the front uncovered and the back in the soil

What is the actual scale that this above picture is? That picture makes it look tiny.

Mr. M

Heh no it doesn't chook, look at the shadows from the uneven surface of the Surrounding dirt, and the position of the shadow from the Rovers Arm. The imager is above the indentation, and its shadow is cast to the top of that image. Hence the illumination is from an angle coming in at the bottom of that image.

The Pancam Image linked to above is an even better example. This one:



Shadows from the rock etc.

[Edited on 12-3-2004 by Kano]

Kano has it right I think, the shadows are telling. And the soil along the feature appears recently disturbed. Guess I was unaware of the Mossbauer apperature. Though his assertion isn't completely conclusive, it is the best explanation. Also it would explain why NASA made no mention of it, they know exactly where the spectrometer was impressed. Perhaps there are other similar images where sampling points were photographed.

It is a compelling image though, don't you think?

My first impression was that of some kind of core sampling going. But, yes, it looks like the Spectrometer is responsible for this. Martian soil is also very fine, like talc or ash. Look at the Apollo footprints, for example. They're almost exact imprints of the boots. Same goes for the perfect shape of the indentation here.