On Mars: Earth-Like Clouds and a New Type of Rock

[Dover]

On Mars: Earth-Like Clouds and a New Type of Rock


SAN FRANCISCO - NASA's Mars rovers have returned new evidence for past water, pictures of Earth-like clouds seen for the first time from the planet's surface, and a rock that doesn't look like anything scientists have ever seen.

Meanwhile, officials say both robots are in surprisingly good health and could continue their science investigations for months more, despite nagging health problems.

The Spirit rover, ambling through the Columbia Hills at the fringe of the Gusev crater, has uncovered a riot of rock forms and chemistries, including a mineral called goethite, which had not been found on Mars before. Goethite is common on Earth and forms only in the presence of water, though the water can be liquid, frozen or vaporous, said Goestar Klingelhoefer of the Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany.

Rover scientists presented their latest findings here Monday at meeting of the American Geophysical Union...cont'd

http://space.com/missionlaunches/rover_update_041213.html

[On the Road]

1. And Look at the Frost

Must be water vapor there.

[The Doctor.]

2. Let the Terraforming Begin!!!!

Should take only 2.5 million years.

Maybe less.

[benburch]

3. Planets while you wait!

I think we need to see if we can repair the Earth, first...

Or we won't survive long enough to fix up Mars.