I think it's a micro-jackrabbit. -mc On Feb 3, 2004, at 8:47 PM, Patrick Wiggins wrote:
Ann House emailed me a picture she had been sent as a joke, seeming to show a "bug" on Mars.
I chuckled, thinking it was like the PhotoShopped pictures seen here that show Wal Mart and McDonald's signs on Mars.
But then, just for the heck of it, I had a look at the original image on the NASA/JPL web site. It was there too.
Here are small (300 kB) http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/opportunity/20040202a/ MSPan_B1_2x-B009R1_br2.jpg and large (9 MB) http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/opportunity/20040202a/ MSPan_B1_2x-B009R1.jpg versions of the picture in question.
The "bug" is located about 2/3 of the way across (left to right) and not quite half way up the image.
I've put a close up of the object (supplied by Ann) here http://planet.state.ut.us/temp/WHATISIT.JPG
Ideas? Something that came from the lander? Note, BTW, that the "bug's antennae" are above the surface and cast shadows.
Patrick
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