Another Mars Anomaly

[Amaterasu]

This was brought to My attention.  Yeah, not a film glitch or paredoila (sp?):



Lest any miss it, look for a circle with a four-pointed thing inside.  Towards the right, above the center line.

[spacemaverick]

A very clear picture indeed.  This is the most clear I have ever seen.  Certainly looks like something that was not naturally made IMHO.

[Amaterasu]

There has been some speculation that it's an imprint of one of the testing devices...  But no One can find anything that matches that pattern.

[ArMaP]

I does look like something pressed the sand, but I don't remember seeing any thing looking like the mark on the rover's arm.

[Pimander]

It could be something off the tracks/wheels that caused the imprint.  It is almost certainly caused by a screw.


SOURCE: https://www.fastenal.com/web/products/details/0149179

[ArMaP]

I think it could have been the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer.

http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA05113

[Amaterasu]

I disagree, Pim.  First, the four arms are not square.  They are offset a bit.  Second, a screw imprint would not leave a circle that is a rim, even on both sides thereof.  In other words, it would leave a depression on the inside but not a flat plateau with a neat depression on the outside.

[Amaterasu]

I think it could have been the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer.

http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA05113

There is nothing in that pic that resembles the configuration We see in the image, and why would that instrument be pressed against the surface (may be a good explanation and I just don't grasp how it functions...).

[ArMaP]

There is nothing in that pic that resembles the configuration We see in the image, and why would that instrument be pressed against the surface (may be a good explanation and I just don't grasp how it functions...).

So, you don't think that this (I rotated the image 180º)


could have made this?


As for how it functions, you can see it being used on here.

[Pimander]

I disagree, Pim.  First, the four arms are not square.  They are offset a bit. 

The offset often happens when you use a screwdriver which slightly deforms the screw.  ArMaP is definitely right unless the MArtians also have X Ray Spectrometers.

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

It looks like the outline of a piston or crank.

[The Seeker]

looks to be a match, Armap 

[Amaterasu]

So, you don't think that this (I rotated the image 180º)


could have made this?


As for how it functions, you can see it being used on here.

Actually...  I do.  I was looking at the whole setup and did not see that small area with the screw.  It even has the offset.  (But looks intentional and NOT created by a screwdriver on a squared inset.)

Thanks, ArMaP.

[Pimander]

I wanted to have the first screw on Mars but it seems I've been beaten to it.  Maybe I'll have to settle for a Clinton.

ETA: Yes Pimander you were right, it is an imprint of a screw, you were right and I was wrong!

[Amaterasu]

Technically it was a screw and the backplate.  Guess You need a backpat.  Good Pim, good Pim.  Feel better now?