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(meteorobs) Meteor observations from Mars?



Friends:

More on this interesting subject on this NASA page:

Check out this picture:

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasadot gov/gallery/press/spirit/20040311a/orion_pan_2-A067
R1_br.jpg

And the explanatory note:

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasadot gov/gallery/press/spirit/20040311a.html

"Stars and Cosmic Rays Observed from Mars

In this five-minute exposure taken from the surface of Mars by
NASA's Spirit rover, stars appear as streaks due to the rotation
of the planet, and instantaneous cosmic-ray hits appear as
points of light. 

Spirit took the image with its panoramic camera on March 11,
2004, after waking up during the martian night for a
communication session with NASA's Mars Global Surveyor
orbiter. Other exposures were also taken. The images tested
the capabilities of the rover for night-sky observations.
Scientists will use the results to aid planning for possible
future astronomical observations from Mars. 

The difference in Mars' rotation, compared to Earth's, gives the
star trails in this image a different orientation than they would
have in a comparable exposure taken from Earth. 

Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell 
Browse Image (29 kB) | Large (190 kB) "

The questions is, what are the short streaks, meteors or 
cosmic rays?

Clear skies,
Bob Young 
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