Mars rocks covered with uniformly thick dust layer?

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    Dust Mars Rocks
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the uniformity of dust layers covering rocks on Mars, particularly in relation to data collected by Mars rovers. Participants explore the implications of this uniformity, the nature of the dust, and the potential for further investigation into these findings.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant recalls a project proposal regarding the uniform thickness of dust on Mars rocks, suggesting it merits further investigation.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the uniformity of dust thickness across Mars, citing the presence of dust devils as a factor that would likely disrupt uniformity.
  • A participant mentions that the dust layer is not loose but rather cemented, indicating a significant change in mineral composition as drilling progresses.
  • There is a reference to a specific campaign that used data from the top layer of drill bore, which is typically considered contaminated but was found to be uniformly contaminated.
  • Some participants share links to external sources related to Mars rock samples and previous findings, indicating a search for more information on the topic.
  • One participant questions whether the discussion is veering into conspiracy theories, while others defend the inquiry as legitimate scientific exploration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the uniformity of dust layers, with some expressing skepticism and others supporting the idea based on specific findings. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of the dust layer's characteristics.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions about contamination in the drill bore data and the definitions of "uniform" in the context of Martian geology. The discussion also reflects varying interpretations of the significance of the findings.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in planetary geology, Mars exploration, and the analysis of extraterrestrial materials may find this discussion relevant.

seany
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Hello all, I need your help. (I believe this si the correct forum)

Between 2011 and 2013, i read a news in internet, that the dust that coveres rocks in Mars seem to be very uniform, like all rocks that was drilled by Mars science laboratory twin rovers, seem to have the same thickness of dust. So there was a news, that some one proposed a project to investigate why it was so uniform.

however i lost the link to the project, and I can't find it via google. Could anyone help? please?
 
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This seems very unlikely because of the dust devils on mars. I don't mean it's unlikely that a really small sample set taken by humans might not have had the same or nearly the same thickness, but that it seems very unlikely that the thickness is anywhere near uniform over the whole surface.
 
I realize that, and precisely that is what interested them. Moreover I remember it was not a layer of loos dust, it was a layer of *cemnted* dust, i use the term that we use to describe *sticking* of the same in earth, in top of the actual rock. The difference between the cemented laer and the actual rock was determined by the abrupt change in mineral composition as the drills drilled deeper.
 
seany said:
I realize that, and precisely that is what interested them. Moreover I remember it was not a layer of loos dust, it was a layer of *cemnted* dust, i use the term that we use to describe *sticking* of the same in earth, in top of the actual rock. The difference between the cemented laer and the actual rock was determined by the abrupt change in mineral composition as the drills drilled deeper.
Since it would seem nothing came of those "rocks", here's something you can shift attention to.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...6bfc6e-8455-11e3-bbe5-6a2a3141e3a9_story.html
 
Evo said:
Since it would seem nothing came of those "rocks", here's something you can shift attention to.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...6bfc6e-8455-11e3-bbe5-6a2a3141e3a9_story.html

Thank you, I am aware of this :) I am actually looking for the campaign I specifically mentioned, because it used data from the top layer of the drill bore, which is generally rejected, as it is considered contaminated, however, some one found out the contamination was uniform.
 
seany said:
Thank you, I am aware of this :) I am actually looking for the campaign I specifically mentioned, because it used data from the top layer of the drill bore, which is generally rejected, as it is considered contaminated, however, some one found out the contamination was uniform.
A campaign for what, was this some alien conspiracy theory? There is a website that discuss the rock samples. I see nothing unusual.

http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/MPF/science/mineralogy.html
 
WONDERFUL! this is what i was looking for, also turns out it was not the MSL twins. many thanks. you are my hero
 
Evo said:
, was this some alien conspiracy theory?

that seems a bit of jumping to it, with all due respects.

also the mineraloy site is supposed to be a general education site, and won't really contain interesting information.
 
  • #10
seany said:
that seems a bit of jumping to it, with all due respects.
You'd be surprised how many conspiracy theories there are out there.
 

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