Possible Meteorite Imaged by Opportunity Rover

Did not see this posted by search but if it has then apologies....

(NASA) – The Opportunity rover has eyed an odd-shaped, dark rock, about 0.6 meters (2 feet) across on the surface of Mars, which may be a meteorite.

The team spotted the rock called “Block Island,” on July 18, 2009, in the opposite direction from which it was driving. The rover then backtracked some 250 meters (820 feet) to study it closer.

source

reply to post by AlwaysQuestion


The link to the site works, but when you I try and get the image:

Error 404 - Not Found

We're very sorry, but that page doesn't exist or has been moved.
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Strange!

Yeah I got the same thing. I followed the other link and it's been loading for a few minutes now.
hmmm....

It has been posted, here:
www.abovetopsecret.com...

And here is a working article:
www.universetoday.com...

It's not the first meteorite found on Mars.

[edit on 8/3/2009 by Phage]

reply to post by Phage


Cheers mate!

reply to post by Phage


Thanks Phage.

Now about the meteorite.....

That's the exact kind of thing we need to return to Earth. That way we can determine if it has evidence of micro fossils like the one that supposedly has it on it from of all places MARS. That way they can dismiss the notion of it being contaminated from Earth. Whens that one planned and whats it's name if its in the works?

How come there is no sign of an impact around it?

Seems weird for there not to be one...

reply to post by refuse_orders

It takes a pretty large meteor to create an impact crater. Meteorites of this size reach the surface at terminal velocity. Terminal velocity on Mars is quite a bit higher than on Earth but still a whole lot less than interplanetary speeds.

As on Earth, Mars has dust, dirt, and wind to help cover traces of the arrival.
Here are some images of meteorites found on Earth (in situ)

reply to post by Phage


Thanks for the reply.

One of the things that analysis with the Mössbauer spectrometer may reveal is whether this meteor encountered any water either on entry or at some other time. This, by the way, is the largest meteor found by the rovers. Still to be determined is whether it is possible that this meteor came from the same body that the other rover meteors came from. Regardless, it is an interesting find.