Mars

"HERMES HELMET" - A Martine Grainey Original in X3D Stereo

Details: Category: Mars; Written by David Gannett; Hits: 821

“HERME’S HELMET” in X3D Stereo

A Martine Grainey Original

Curiosity Sol 991 MastCam

Link: http://www.midnightplanets.com/web/MSL/image/00991/0991MR0043800050503120E01_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, rendering the image in X3D stereo.

While it’s possible that “Herme’s Helmet” could be a ventifact, the elegant sweep of the “wings” and the evident bi-lateral symmetry seem to indicate otherwise. One almost gets the impression that it could be a carved head, perhaps a mythological creature or even a gargoyle-type ornament that once adorned a building.

Given its size, perhaps three to four feet long, I lean towards it being an architectural ornament. But that also reveals my Terran size bias. Oh well...

***

“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-size image)

"TENNESSEE VALLEY PNEUMATICS" - in X3D Stereo

Details: Category: Mars; Written by David Gannett; Hits: 814

“TENNESSEE VALLEY PNEUMATICS”

Spirit Sol 620 NavCam

Neville Thompson Gigapan: http://gigapan.com/gigapans/195338/snapshots/616512

On the left side of Nev’s gigapan, drifting dunes of white sand and debris dominate the foreground of a vast plain, Mt. Sharp rising in the distance. A glint of reflected sunlight catches the eye in our context view.

As we zoom in on Detail View #1, what appears to something like a gigantic earthworm emerges from under the sand on the left, stretches quite some distance and once again descends under the sand. Symmetrical rings mark the surface, which has the reflective appearance of glass. While difficult to determine its exact size, it could be anywhere from six to ten feet in diameter given the presumed distance from Spirit’s navcams.

In Detail View #2, we can clearly see that it is an artificial construct. These “glass worms” have been seen repeatedly on Mars, both from orbit and from our surface rovers. It is tempting to make an anology with the pneumatic tube technology we have here on our planet. Was this part of a mass transit system? A delivery system for liquids or other substances? Is it somehow created by some type of gigantic sand worm or other creature?

Its symmetry, the fact that it appears to be made of glass or plastic, the regularly-spaced rings...it’s just a rock, right?

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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-sized image)

"CORRODED CLASP" - A Martine Grainy Original in X3D Stereo

Details: Category: Mars; Written by David Gannett; Hits: 841

“CORRODED CLASP” in X3D Stereo

A Martine Grainey Original

Curiosity Sol 958 MastCam

Link: http://www.midnightplanets.com/web/MSL/image/00958/0958MR0042380240502328E01_DXXX.html

Notice the squared-off area and the overall lines: this gives the distinct impression of a badly-corroded clasp. Also compelling: in the lower right corner is a small object that looks exactly like a door hinge!

***

“SO, HOW DO I VIEW X3D STEREO?”

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

(Click for full-sized image)

"ANCIENT HELMET" A Martine Grainey Original in X3D Stereo

Details: Category: Mars; Written by David Gannett; Hits: 1110

“ANCIENT HELMET” in X3D Stereo

A Martine Grainey Original
Curiosity Sol 942 MastCam
Link: http://www.midnightplanets.com/web/MSL/image/00942/0942MR0041470010501946E01_DX XX.html

In this compelling image, Ms. Grainey shares what may well be an ancient battle helmet. Some type of bas-relief embellishment decorates the dome. Parallel lines with rosettes girdle the forehead and a generous visor juts out, thin, curved and shaped exactly as one would expect a visor to be shaped.

On the side, what might be a rounded, decorative earpiece guards the side of the head. Compare everything with the inset image. Can you honestly say this is just a rock?

***

“SO, HOW DO I VIEW X3D STEREO?”

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

(Click for full-sized image)

"POST APOCALYPTC INDUSTRY" - in X3D Stereo

User Rating: 5 / 5

Details: Category: Mars; Written by David Gannett; Hits: 805

“POST-APOCALYPTIC INDUSTRY”

Curiosity Sol 1281 NavCam

Original:https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/raw/?rawid=NRB_511217236EDR_F0531284NCAM07753M_&s=1281

In this X3D stereo view, our eyes are immediately drawn to the square shape lying halfway up on the left side.

Zooming in for a closer look, we can see that the entire hillside is littered with industrial debris. But for our purposes today, we’ll take a closer look at the main items designated with dot locators, starting from left to right.

First, a rectilinear piece of equipment showing not only a clear framework, but repeated ninety degree angles along with projecting pieces catching the sunlight. To the right, a large sunlit square of what looks like bent/twisted metal sporting a regular sawtooth edge on the left. Details are lost in the shadows, but it appears to be a partial cube. In front and to the right, a piece showing uniform thickness, right angles, a “French curve” on top and what may be a machined hole on the right side. And finally on the right, an item of indiscriminate shape sporting rivets and various projections...including what appears to be a handle...that give every indication of being artificial.

In our final zoom we get as close as possible before the image completely degrades. In the background, you can see additional debris littering the hillside.

Anomalists the world over are continually discovering remains of a thriving industrial civilization suddenly subjected to an unimaginably-violent global cataclysm. Worn and corroded bits of machinery bear mute testimony from the shifting red sands of Mars.

And of course, NASA continues to say “Nothing to see here folks, move along”.

***

“SO, HOW DO I VIEW X3D STEREO?”

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

(CLICK FOR FULL SIZE IMAGE)

"STRAPPED" - A Martine Grainey Original in X3D

Details: Category: Mars; Written by David Gannett; Hits: 937

“STRAPPED” in X3D Stereo

A Martine Grainey Original

Curiosity Sol 714 MastCam

Link: http://www.midnightplanets.com/web/MSL/image/00714/0714ML0030400050304794E01_DXXX.html

Half-buried in the sand, what appears to be a piece of industrial equipment slowly succumbs to corrosion and abrasion. Nevertheless, its non-fractal lines and angles are clearly-seen; always an indicator of intelligent design.

Riveted straps, perhaps metallic in composition, curve around the front and back of the object. The front is clearly square in shape and hollow, while the rear is clearly tubular.

A rock? Nope. We feel that this is just another example of the industrial debris found everywhere on Mars.

***

“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 image for full size)