The Longest Crater Chain in Our Solar System, To-Date

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the identification and characteristics of the longest crater chain found on Mars, exploring its implications and the nature of the evidence presented. Participants examine the potential for misinterpretation of imaging artifacts and the relevance of these features in the context of extraterrestrial intelligence.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the crater chain on Mars is a significant geological feature, spanning a considerable distance and cutting across older craters.
  • Others question whether the observed features are indeed a crater chain or if they could be artifacts resulting from the imaging process, particularly if they align predominantly north-south.
  • A participant references a previous discussion about the impact trail of comet SL-9, suggesting it was longer than the crater chain in question.
  • Concerns are raised about the interpretation of crater chains as evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence, with some participants recalling past discussions that leaned towards this interpretation.
  • One participant mentions a communication with Dr. Phil Christensen, who expressed uncertainty about whether the crater chain is the longest on Mars, highlighting the lack of definitive confirmation.
  • Another participant introduces a different crater chain identified by another user, suggesting it may be longer and parallel to a specific orbital path.
  • There are claims that the stitching of images does not produce round craters shoulder to shoulder, and that the features should show erosion if they were not genuine craters.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the motivations behind the claims of alien involvement in the formation of these features.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the nature of the crater chain and its implications. There is no consensus on whether the features are genuine geological formations or artifacts, nor on the interpretation of their significance.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unresolved questions about the imaging process, the definitions of crater chains, and the criteria for determining the longest crater chain. The discussion also reflects varying interpretations of evidence related to extraterrestrial intelligence.

FieryIce
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The longest crater chain, to date, was found on Mars.

http://www.craterchains.com/gales/mars_compose.jpg

Lat: 64.203
Lon: 10.921E

http://themis.asu.edu/mars-bin/mars_cgi_map.pl?TOP_LAT=69.828125&LEFT_LON=359.67094527&CENT_LAT=64.203125&CENT_LON=10.92094527&DISP_RES=32&DISP_DATASET=Visible&DISP_MAP_DATASET=1&DISP_MAP_PROJ=0&TNAIL_LINK=20041105a&PAN_SELECT_ZOOM=ZOOM&RESCALE=+64+

To view the crater chain click on the CGI map and pan its length. This crater chain, one of two in this image, are the newer surface feature and cut across other craters. This crater chain spans down the cratered highlands an estimate of one third the distance from Mars northern pole to southern pole.
 
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That second link has got to be one of the coolest web-pages I've ever seen!

Still, are you sure that's a crater chain and not just an artifact of the composite nature of the imaging system?

If it's running mostly N-S I'd pretty much guarantee that's what it is. Crater chains run E-W because the planet is turning underneath as the impacts come in.
 
Welcome back to PF, FieryIce.

I'm moving this topic to the skepticism forum because it is likely intended to be used as evidence of ET intelligence (as evidenced by the home page in the first link and based on past discussions on this topic).
 
Though it didn't exactly leave craters, the impact trail of comet SL-9 was significantly longer than Mars.

edit: This mosaic stitching artifact is discussed in some detail http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=17530 .
 
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Wow Evo! Good catch! I had forgotten all about this thread.
 
Anytime someone posts a website saying these were formed by "atomic explosions or some other high energy explosive" set off on purpose by an alien intelligence, I tend to remember. It's a shame that the original posts were deleted by craterchains, they were a hoot. :smile:
 
Evo said:
Anytime someone posts a website saying these were formed by "atomic explosions or some other high energy explosive" set off on purpose by an alien intelligence, I tend to remember.

I only remember the ones set off by aliens, by accident. :-p
 
To stay on topic.

The beginning latitude/longitude is Lat: 73.781 Lon: 8.312E and the ending is Lat: 42.328 Lon: 18.249E.
That means in length this crater chains stretches over 31.453 degrees latitude and angles 9.937 degrees in longitude, that is in Mars latitude and longitude distance.

Stitch lines could not configure itself into round craters shoulder to shoulder and show erosion.
:D
 
  • #10
FieryIce said:
Stitch lines could not configure itself into round craters shoulder to shoulder and show erosion.
You took the explanation given at BA, flipped it around (to make it wrong), and re-presented it. The stiched lines would follow the contours of a crater, while a row of craterchains would not (there would be either more or less impacts in the sloped sides, not a consistent amount).

Also, the images, since they don't show craters, don't show erosions either.

In any case, this is all irrelevant to your main point (which you haven't made yet...) - even if these were crater chains, they would not be evidence of aliens - just like none of the other crater chains we've seen are evidence of aliens.

FieryIce, you are being willfully ignorant and deceptive. You said in your other thread (when you deleted your posts) that you wouldn't "play our game." Our game is called "science" and you must play it to post here.
 
  • #11
No I have done no twisting, if anyone checks the thread at BA they will see the same wording, another nice thing with BA a poster can post the images for better clarification.

Email sent for confirmation as to if it is the longest.
We never bothered to question if it was a topographical feature or not. It obviously is not a screw up with the picture.


Subject: Re: Longest pit / crater chain on Mars
From: "Phil Christensen" <phil.christensen@asu.edu>
Date: Thu, November 11, 2004 9:50 am
To: craterchains@craterchains.com


Unfortunately, I'm not sure if it is or not.
Phil C.

On Nov 10, 2004, at 7:00 AM, craterchains@craterchains.com wrote:

> Dr. Christensen
> While looking for a Lat. Lon. location on the Mars map Ms. Gale
> Smart, a
> co-investigator, came across this image of a pit or crater chain that
> we
> think may be the longest one found on Mars, so far. If possible can
> this
> be confirmed?
>
> Sincerely
> Mr. Norval L. Cunningham
> Principal Investigator
>

So consequently Dr. Phil Christensen is unsure if this crater chain is the longest or not.
:smile:
 
  • #12
No offense, but it looks to me like he was blowing you off.
 
  • #13
Well I have to admit a longer crater chain has been identified by Pete.

To quote his words:

It didn't take long. Here's another very similar artefact - this one is much longer, and again exactly parallel to the Surveyor orbit:
Themis site again
You can track this artefact all the way up to latitude 71°, and down to about 25°.

http://themis.asu.edu/mars-bin/mars_cgi_map.pl?TOP_LAT=64.015625&LEFT_LON=128.07719527&CENT_LAT=61.203125&CENT_LON=133.70219527&DISP_RES=64&DISP_DATASET=Visible&DISP_MAP_DATASET=1&DISP_MAP_PROJ=0&TNAIL_LINK=20041105a&PAN_SELECT_ZOOM=PAN&MAP_IMG.x=413&MAP_IMG.y=12
:smile:
 
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  • #14
FieryIce,
Your Image seems to contain a third long line (Chain) that traverses from an intersection (Just below the image) with the right side line to a point where it leaves the image in the upper right hand corner. Is it faint but it is longer than the extent of the image.

http://www.craterchains.com/gales/mars_compose.jpg
 
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  • #15
FieryIce hasn't posted here in 2 years.

I think you just won the award for necroposting. :biggrin:
 
  • #16
Oh boy, an award! Does it come with a monetary award too?:smile: