Mars

"MINI-DISC" in X3D Stereo

Details: Category: Mars; Written by David Gannett; Hits: 1037

“MINI-DISC” in X3D Stereo

Opportunity Sol 4888 PanCam

Link:http://gigapan.com/gigapans/206523/snapshots/618908

OK, I’ll admit it: this one bothers me. See, I have an inherent Terran-based size bias that precludes me easily believing in a race of miniature Martians. And yet, I along with other researchers continue to find miniature dwellings, tiny artifacts and morestrangenessthat seem to suggest otherwise.

As you can see, our context view is close to Oppy’s pancam. One of the flags indicating a possible anomaly is a color or albedo that doesn’t match the contextual geology. And that’s certainly the case here, as the small white disc maybe fifteen feet away from Oppy simply doesn’t fit the surrounding geology.

Ok then, let’s have a look.

In our detail view you can easily see the puzzling details. It’s a disc. With a scalloped edge. What’s more, the dome on top (and in the center as we would expect it to be) appears to be translucent, made of plastic, glass or some other material. Within, two “eyes” (stereo cameras? Sensors? Alien heads? Actual eyes?) are clearly seen.

Go ahead. Say it. It’s a miniature flying saucer, right? I really don’t want to believe that, but there it is, defying reason. Do they send Oppy over for a closer look with the chemcam? Of course not. At least not publicly.

Eventually I will collate a 3D collection of miniature anomalies for consideration. That size-bias is really getting whittled away. And it kinda hurts.

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“SO, HOW DO I VIEW X3D STEREO?”

Simple! While viewing the stereo pair at a comfortable distance, gently cross your eyes (no eye-strain) until you perceive three images all the same width. The one in the center is in 3D. Just relax into it and your eyes will automatically bring it into focus. Once you have it, you will never forget how to do it. Kinda like riding a bicycle…

For another, more detailed method of viewing X3D stereo, click HERE.

(Click for full-sized image)

"BUCKLED BAG" - A Martine Grainey Original in X3D Stereo

Details: Category: Mars; Written by David Gannett; Hits: 962

“BUCKLED BAG” in X3D Stereo

A Martine Grainey Original

Curiosity Sol 1275 MastCam

Link:http://www.midnightplanets.com/web/MSL/image/01275/1275MR0059760200604096E01_DXXX.html

In collaboration with Researcher Emeritus Martine Grainey, MarsX3D is proud to offer a series of 3D realizations representing some of Ms. Grainey’s most compelling finds. These are her original renditions. Nothing has been changed, altered or added in any way other than to apply the process of planar extrapolation and then rendering the image in X3D stereo.

When viewing the contextual geology in the original mastcam image, it seems possible that the “Buckled Bag” could be no more than a fascinating relic of wind and sand.

But take a closer look.

There’s that perfectly-shaped strap on top with a perfectly semi-circular end and a buckle or hasp dead-center right where it should be. Look at the thin, evenly-spaced laminations; the criss-crossing marks on the surface. The overall aspect is that of a buckled bag or a book which has perhaps become a mud fossil.

But wait (as they say), there’s more.

Look in the upper left corner as indicated by the arrow. Now I don’t know about you, but that sure looks like a half-buried skull to me! What are the chances of the domed head, the eye sockets and nose socket being eroded in just the right positions on a rock?

Skeptics will bend over backwards to deny its biological origin. Or you could just apply Occam’s Razor.

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“SO, HOW DO I VIEW X3D STEREO?”

For another, more detailed method of viewing X3D stereo, click HERE.

(Click for full-size image)