Inexplicable ridges on Mars
Click for full image.
Don’t ask me to explain the geology on today’s cool image, rotated, cropped and reduced above. Taken by the high resolution camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) on August 16, 2019, the image’s uncaptioned website merely calls these “Convergent and Overlapping Narrow Curved Ridges.”
I don’t know why the sand in the hollows appears light blue, or even if it is sand. I don’t know what created the ridges, or why they seem to overlap each other randomly, or why they seem to peter out to the south.
I am sure there are planetary scientists out there who have theories that might explain these features. I also know that they would forgive me if I remained skeptical of those theories. This geology is a puzzle.
The location of these ridges is in the southeast corner of Hellas Basin, which I like to call the basement of Mars as it is the equivalent of the United States’ Death Valley, having the lowest relative elevation on the planet. As I have noted previously, the geology in this basin can be very strange. To my eye it often invokes a feeling that we are looking at Mars’s “uttermost foundation of stone” (to quote Tolkien), frozen lava that flowed in many ways and then froze in strange patterns.
Or not. Your guess is as good as mine.
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Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
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Click for full image.
Don’t ask me to explain the geology on today’s cool image, rotated, cropped and reduced above. Taken by the high resolution camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) on August 16, 2019, the image’s uncaptioned website merely calls these “Convergent and Overlapping Narrow Curved Ridges.”
I don’t know why the sand in the hollows appears light blue, or even if it is sand. I don’t know what created the ridges, or why they seem to overlap each other randomly, or why they seem to peter out to the south.
I am sure there are planetary scientists out there who have theories that might explain these features. I also know that they would forgive me if I remained skeptical of those theories. This geology is a puzzle.
The location of these ridges is in the southeast corner of Hellas Basin, which I like to call the basement of Mars as it is the equivalent of the United States’ Death Valley, having the lowest relative elevation on the planet. As I have noted previously, the geology in this basin can be very strange. To my eye it often invokes a feeling that we are looking at Mars’s “uttermost foundation of stone” (to quote Tolkien), frozen lava that flowed in many ways and then froze in strange patterns.
Or not. Your guess is as good as mine.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
How about sending a Helium balloon to float in the Martian sky and send pictures of the land back to Earth?
Also would a propeller drive drone be able to fly in the thin Martian atmosphere?
Edward_2: A helium balloon would likely not be practical because of the thinness of the atmosphere. I can’t do the math, but my off the cuff guess would be that even if it could float it couldn’t carry the weight of any instruments.
As for a drone, the next rover, Mars2020, due to launch in July, will be taking with it a test helicopter to see if this concept can work. Should be exciting.
I believe that mars atmosphere is too thin for a helicopter, It did not perform great in the vacuum chamber, I’m hoping to be surprised. It will use power quickly for short trips. Keeping enough power in reserve to return to land on the rover for recharge will be the true test, one mistake and the rover will be required to retrieve it with the robotic arm and place it on the charger.
This is the best option for looking into the pits on the surface to locate a suitable habitat for future colonist.
For a helium balloon, thin lightweight solar panels and optical sensors are now available. Mylar material for a large helium balloon will easily lift a cell phone size data package.
To make a balloon viable, two systems need to be made lighter. A helium compressor that drops the balloon for closer viewing during the day after releasing helium into the balloon for lift during the cold of night to avoid dragging on the ground.
And a light weight energy storage battery/capacitor.
Recent tesla innovations clams they’re developing a battery that will power one of their cars for 1,000,000 miles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADS742xsoTw
The future for light weight, fast charging, Energy density 2 to 5 times more than lithium, safety from exploding, unlimited charging, works in extreme cold, is heading towards the solid-state battery. In every way, perfect for Mars. 15min
https://youtu.be/oPh2879pyw0
There will soon be no reason not to send a package to Mars that will inflate dozens or more helium balloons to drift aimlessly across the surface uploading their pictures, temperature, wind speed to overhead satellites. Until a high altitude dust storm static charge obscures the hundreds of fish eye cameras, the paper thin solar panels, and weighs the balloon down to drag on the ground to eventually become just a remote weather station until the solar panels fail. Perhaps an anti- static charge material will prevent this until solar UV degrades and oxidizes the materials which eventually happens to everything. Then it’s lifespan will be limited only by its supply of helium that replaces what leaks.