Mars

"SCROLLWORK" by MarsX3D

Details: Category: Mars; Written by David Gannett; Hits: 918

“SCROLL WORK” by MarsX3D

Curiosity Sol 1429 M-100 W - PDS by Neville Thompson

Link: http://www.gigapan.com/gigapans/197155/snapshots/622742

I debated whether to present this particular anomaly, preferring instead to stick to relatively large items with clear non-fractal geometry. But its strangeness along with its resemblance to countless other similar examples found on Mars prompted me to give it a place in the catalog.

Today’s context view shows a dark and cluttered slope littered with blocks of stone and occasional building blocks. Cubes and building blocks are numerous enough on Mars to preclude trying to present each and every one found unless it has some really unusual feature. What caught my eye in this image is the small tangle of tubes within our target square.

The Detail View shows...what? Tubes and more tubes. Are they the result of mud, lava or some other viscous fluid being extruded under geologic pressure through a round opening? Are they hydraulic/fluid conduits that once powered an ancient machine? A mud fossil of some unfortunate creature’s intestines? Or is it fancy scrollwork done in stone, a decorative motif from a building? Without being able to go over, pick it up and examine it in detail, it’s all just speculation.

Don’t wanna roll the rover a little closer for a good look? How about zooming in on it with one of the cameras? Or better yet, just ignore it. Nothing to see here, folks!

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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)

"T-SQUARE" by MarsX3D

Details: Category: Mars; Written by David Gannett; Hits: 794

“T-SQUARE” by MarsX3D

Curiosity Sol 1432 M-34 E-SE-PDS by Neville Thompson

Link: http://www.gigapan.com/gigapans/197164/snapshots/622740

Our Context View includes the “Trap Door” presented earlier, seen directly under the target circle. But what is that lying in the sand above and behind this classic anomaly?

The Detail View shows what may be a tool of some kind, somet wo to three feet long. It’s rather like the T-square found in many workshops. The long bar has evenly-spacedi ncrements engraved on it, leaving the impression that the rectangular plate with the semi-circular end and the hole in the center is made to slide up and down, locking into each increment according to need. It looks like the upper end curves back toward the bar, but that may be just an illusion of light and shadow. The three evenly-spaced plates perpendicular to the bar are of uniform thickness, have right angles and holes and certainly seem to be an integral part of whatever this is.

Given the proximity of the “Trap Door”, perhaps this was part of the locking mechanism, or possibly a tool used in conjunction with whatever purpose the door served.

The desire to walk over, pick it up and give it a thorough going-over is almost irresistible.

Unless of course, you’re from NASA.

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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)

"BLOCKS & CARVINGS" by MarsX3D

Details: Category: Mars; Written by David Gannett; Hits: 721

“BLOCKS & CARVINGS” by MarsX3D

Curiosity Sol 1428 M-100 NW - PDS by Neville Thompson

Link: http://www.gigapan.com/gigapans/197152/snapshots/622744

Once again our context view reveals a hillside peppered with anomalous debris for those who care to look. At the lower right, a collection of four blocks needs a closer look.

In Detail View #1 we see two blatantly-unnatural blocks. The bluish stone on the left is covered with symmetrical carvings that may be either decorative motifs or stylized writing in bas-relief. It seems to resemble the rounded letters of Taiwanese to my eye, but regardless, it hardly seems a product of wind and sand.

To its immediate right is another blatantly-unnatural rock. Symmetrical radiused slabs form a perfect right angle, as if they were a corner piece in a building. More wind and sand forming perfect right angles? Please explain. I’m waiting…

In Detail View #2 we see a trough-like stone rounded at one end with two interesting items lying in front. Whether they are part of the “trough” is difficult to tell. The violin-shaped piece is not only fairly complex in its bilateral symmetry, but sports two bumps or rivets that are in line, identical in size and centered on the upper portion. What’s that all about?

To the left of the “violin” lies what looks rather like a carpenter’s square partially buried in the sand. More magic by random winds?

The real eyeball-stopper in this view however, is the rectangular block just behind the “trough”. If that first marking were an “E”, it’d be an “Exit” sign! What are clearly letters or symbols are evenly-carved and distributed on the face of the block. C’mon now. When are you going to break down and call a duck a duck when you see it?

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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)

"ORNAMENTAL STONE" by MarsX3D

Details: Category: Mars; Written by David Gannett; Hits: 740

“ORNAMENTAL STONE” by MarsX3D

Curiosity Sol 1419 SE-S - PDS by Neville Thompson

Link: http://www.gigapan.com/gigapans/197121/snapshots/622745

The tumbled talus forming the base ofbuttes and cliffs are often a rich hunting ground for dedicated anomalists. Today’s Context View is no exception, as seen by the boulder within the target circle.

The Detail View shows an ornamental stone, fancifully-imagined to be part of a building, temple or monument at one time. Intricate lines and right angles cover the face. Three parallel circular lines are at the center.

Is it possible that this is merely a sedimentary rock artfully-weathered by wind and sand? The possibility certainly exists and indeed, that may be exactly what it is. That is, until you consider the countless other finds which seem to show not only the same patterning, but bothengraved and bas-relief symbols as well.

It is clear from the evidence discovered by the globalanomalist community that at some epoch, the civilization(s) of Mars were master stone masons. They knew no limitations of size or location to work their miracles in stone.

One day, all the puzzle pieces will come together into a cogent whole. Until then, we can only continue to steadfastly catalog the evidence before our eyes.

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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)

"CURVED CONTAINER" by MarsX3D

Details: Category: Mars; Written by David Gannett; Hits: 827

“CURVED CONTAINER” by MarsX3D

Curiosity Sol 1419 SE-S - PDS by Neville Thompson

Link: http://www.gigapan.com/gigapans/197121/snapshots/622746

Today’s Context View has something casting a long shadow in the lower right-hand corner.

The Detail View reveals the source of the shadow: a long, narrow stone about five feet long rests against a curved container! The “container” appears to be hollow with a perfectly-rectangular opening, a pointed lip on the left side. Given the presumed weight of the large stone resting atop the anomaly, it is safe to assume the “container” is made of rugged material, perhaps stone or more likely, metal. It shows no indication of deformation or bending from the stone’s weight.

What was its purpose? A protective cap for an industrial pulley/belt assembly? Why the round end? This is a strange one indeed, but clearly a manufactured item. It would be interesting to learn how this anomaly and the boulder that pins it to the sandcame to rest in the position they did!

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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)

"CURIOSITIES" by MarsX3D

Details: Category: Mars; Written by David Gannett; Hits: 737

“CURIOSITIES” in X3D Stereo

Curiosity Sol 434 M-100 W-NW - PDS by Neville Thompson

Link: http://www.gigapan.com/gigapans/197231/snapshots/622056

Rounding up our survey of Nev’s beautiful PDS of sol 434 is a selection of four curiosities, seen circled in our context view.

In Detail View #1, locator dots draw your attention to these strange little items. Moving from back to front, we have what looks somewhat like a bowling ball for alien hands; in front of that, a small white egg-shaped sphere apparently floating above the ground; next, what looks for all the world like a discarded gauntlet or glove and finally, what gives the appearance of a running animal. Hmm.

Let’s take ‘em one at a time.

Detail View #2 hyperzooms on the “bowling ball”. It is apparently smooth and shows sunlight glinting off its surface. The holes are easy enough to see. But wait: take a closer look. See how the right edge of the sphere is cut off? NASA has placed a blurring block (a common practice of theirs) to hide something they don’t want you to see. If you examine the area you can see the other lines forming the blurring block. Your tax dollars at work, folks.

In Detail View #3 we zoom in on the floating egg-shaped sphere. I’m just going to leave this one right here for you; you be the judge. A trick of light and shadow? A tiny robotic drone? A really rotten egg filled with the gases of decomposition and just starting to levitate? Just kidding. I’ve never seen a rotten egg levitate here on earth. I doubt they do on Mars.

Moving to Detail View #4 we have the “gauntlet”. C’mon now. There’s the cuff on the left side, the palm, the four fingers bent a bit towards the camera and a thumb of sorts on the left side. Another trick of light and shadow or a workman’s protective glove sitting in the sand?

And finally, Detail View #5: the running critter. Take a look: everything is there and where it’s supposed to be. There’s the rump, the thigh, the leg, the back, the head, the nose, the eyes...what more do you want? It looks exactly like some strange animal boogying across the sand to get away from the rumbling, whirring monstrosity that the rover may seem to be. Probably just a rock, but it’s sometimes fun to assign a meaning even when you know it’s highly unlikely.

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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)