A Hole in Mars (APOD 28 May 2007)

[iamlucky13]

Interesting! I understand that the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has ground penetrating RADAR (on board primarily to look for subsurface water ice deposits) with a resolution of about 30 ft. Seems to me that looking for subsurface voids (lava tubes?) would be duck soup. Made to order for locating underground, radiation proof habitats.

The radar on MRO has a depth resolution of 7 meters, but a lateral resolution of only 300 meters. That may be good enough to pick out a lava tube this big, but I don't know enough about the method to be sure. I wouldn't be surprised if they give it a try on a future pass.

They are, it should be noted, pretty confident of the lava tubes in the area. This image shows the context of the holes on the slope of a volcano.

[THX1138]

exactly when will this next pass of that ( MRO ) take place, anyone here have that info.
Speaking on the previous statement by ( iamlucky13 ) I wouldn't be surprised if they give it a try on a future pass.
I would certainly hope that NASA will see fit to do this on the very next pass, if not a few after that as well, i can't imagine anything else being of higher priority and i will / let us hope / that this assumption is correct.

[craterchains]

Makc
I doubt that "all" would love to see those images, and I highly doubt that APOD would ever put such photos up. If I and others have had access to a couple of them, I am sure that the founders of APOD would have much better success in finding some really great ones.

The holes on Mars could be caused by several possible ways. Based on all the other evidence, extrapolation of the correct answer becomes possible.

[makc]

it is just that I was under impression that in 19th century no astronomer was actually making any photos at all, I thought they all simply drawed what they saw (as in martian map case). now when I read up a bit on subject, I see that is not entirely correct. yet, I would like to see those pictures you are talking about.

[cosmo_uk]

huge worms like off the tremors? That would explain lines and holes

[iamlucky13]

exactly when will this next pass of that ( MRO ) take place, anyone here have that info.
Speaking on the previous statement by ( iamlucky13 ) I wouldn't be surprised if they give it a try on a future pass.
I would certainly hope that NASA will see fit to do this on the very next pass, if not a few after that as well, i can't imagine anything else being of higher priority and i will / let us hope / that this assumption is correct.

I don't know where to find precise orbital details for MRO, but I do know one of the top priorities right now is getting the maximum detailed coverage possible of the areas proposed for the Phoenix Polar Lander. It's scheduled to launch soon, and they want to maximize their knowledge of the landing sites so they pick the best one. It's also supporting the Mars Rovers, scouting possible landing sites for the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory, and adding to the global map of the planet...there may be other features equally as interesting out there still.

Anyway, the orbit can only be controlled within the limits of the onboard fuel. Beyond that, it is in a polar orbit so that the rotation of the planet brings a different strip of land with each pass. I'm certain if MRO passes reasonably over these holes again they will take as many pictures as they can get, but I'm not sure how easy it is to arrange, especially when scouting for the landers presents a time pressure. Photographing the holes is limited only by the life of the MRO.

[craterchains]

Thanks Chains, always the gentelman.
Q Where can I locate these old astronomers notes on line I dare ask?

Here is a link that shows the old astronomers were indeed taking photos of the moon, at least, which would also indicate they would have taken many of Mars also. Check this one out from Dr. Wood of the Lunar Photo of the Day site. (LPOD)

http://www.lpod.org/?m=20070701

Just an FYI for those interested in our rich observational history of our solar system. I also am thankful for the image provided by Xavier Debeerst.

Norval

[makc]

huge worms like off the tremors? That would explain lines and holes

worms crawling in nearly straight lines? no, thanks, I think I will stick with star wars theory.

[AZJames]

Huge worms on Mars? Oh, dear! Maybe we should consider renaming the planet "Dune".

I couldn't resist!

[FieryIce]

living arrogantly on the surface, be foolish or naive in doing so?

Any thoughts?

Ryan

I think most governments and military organizations have an underground contingency plan, even though it would be for a select few. The only place somewhat safe under adverse conditions would be underground; I think a USA president said something to that effect in a speech once in reference to nuclear explosions.