NASA probe finds opals in Martian crevices

A NASA space probe orbiting Mars has discovered deposits of opals in the mighty Valles Marineris canyon system* east of Tharsis. Opals aren't valuable enough to justify interplanetary trade, but the discovery is significant as it suggests that liquid water existed on Mars a billion years more recently than had been thought. …

[Outcast]

Elite

Oh kewl.

/me gets old Elite traders book out

New entry

Mars - Opals = free

How many hyper jumps from Ross 154 ?

[Anonymous Coward]

"largest known crevice in the solar system"

So many jokes there I don't know where to start. You guys spoilt us by dropping that in there at the end of the article.

Paris because, well, was there any other option?

[Steve]

Too good to miss...

'The "largest known crevice in the solar system", apparently.'

Are we sure that that title doesn't belong to <insert name of currrently derided celebutard here>?

No, I've already got me coat, thanks all the same!

[Fluffykins]

Opals in the crevices eh?

i knew a girl like that once.

[It wasnt me]

Screw the opals

Theres a pine plantation in the bottom left of that picture.

That dates liquid water to now.

This NASA lot, they cant see the wood for the trees. So to speak.

[Anonymous Coward]

Big girl that Opal

/coat

[goggyturk]

Where's me mining laser?

Destination: Sol system

Description: Feudal / agricultural

Classification: Mostly Harmless

Notes

Refuelling only possible with scoops. Single space station has no trading facilities and limited accomodation.

[Tom Paine]

Squirting crevices

Valles Marineres is indeed the biggest crevice in the solar system, but the tiger-stripes at the south pole of Enceladus squirt geysers of water millions of miles into space. The Cassini probe took some great pictures (and continues to do so in the current series of close fly-bys.) Marineres is as dry as dry as a very dry bone.

Dr Porco's blog:

http://blogs.nasa.gov/cm/blog/cassini-aug08/

[LINCARD1000]

@ Fluffykins

There's a... err... "technical" term for those. They're called 'sootikins'.

I hate to think about the girls you've known... gross.

[Brian]

Largest known crevice

No - the largest known crevice in the solar system must be the one that swallowed Ross and Brand's sense of decency.

Luckily, the pair of prats have now been suspended by the BBC, so there's still a spark of common sense at Television Centre.

[Chris]

huh?

"Milliken is one of NASA's top Martian water-formed gemstone brains, seemingly."?

Hang on. We've discovered a race of water-formed gemstone brains, from Mars? How come I wasn't told?

Not only that, but it sounds like more than one of them have somehow managed to get a job at NASA. I would have thought this should be front-page news, not chucked in an aside at the end of an article.

[Sarah Bee]

Re: Largest known crevice

Oooh, topical.

[Mike]

Opals on Mars...

Am I the only one who read the headline and thought "Wow, google streetview Mars must be on its way"?

Yes? Ah well, guess the medication's wearing off!

[Anonymous Coward]

Opals on Mars?

It's probably Google mapping out the area for Streetview.

[Anonymous Coward]

If anyone is.........

going there can they please give me a lift ?. Oh yes all that Opal has got to be worthwhile just cant figure out how can get there.

[Rachel]

Ooooh, shiny...

Martian opals aren't valuable for interplanetary trade until some hyper-rich guy decides that a gem from another planet is the perfect thing for his slightly geeky/nerdy girlfriend's engagement ring... personally, I think one would be pretty cool, aside from the part where it would be freaking expensive and I'd rather have a nice house instead.

[Stevie]

Not News

Anyone who reads Ray Bradbury knows that the water disappeared from Mars relatively recently, sometime in the late forties/early fifties.

[Anonymous Coward]

"Nice" house?

"Nice" small subtropical nation, more like... :) Or "nice" roccocco palace in the Vatican with very pretty ceilings...

[Outcast]

@ Rachel

Is Mark Shuttleworth single ? He's certainly wealthy enough and think of the advertising coup.

Paris.. Coz she might want to build a hotel there in preparation.

[RKP]

That means it'sours

Well since Mars and Australia both produce Opals - it stands to reason that Mars belongs to Australia.

The question now is, how soon can someone get up there and put an aussie flag on it for us?

[Anonymous Coward]

screw all the funny comments

I would love to be up there studying teh geology. when can i get my ticket (as long as i don't have to get probed by TSA)?

[Fozzy]

I knew it

I thought I saw a rusted out old holden ute in the picture. So let me be the first to claim this new planet in the name of all Austra.... Ah can't be arsed hand us another tinnie will ya.

[Ian]

Becoming Australian

You cheeky bastards.

What next... we'll be sending the Earth's criminals to Mars, thus displacing its natural inhabitants (?!?!), a big mining boom will occur and eventually Mars will be left with the best intergalactic cricket team in the universe?

[mr.K]

ah, two billion years

Two billion years ago, it feels just like yesterday, and we thought it was three. Stupid are we.

By the way, forget about mining for opals. Since it has such a resemblance to Australia, have anybody thought of using it as a penal colony?

The coat? Why brake a habit, I say.

[Anonymous Coward]

@That means it'sours

> The question now is, how soon can someone get up there and put an aussie flag on it for us?

Didn't the USA put their flag on the moon? Does this mean the USA owns the moon? Given the strict laws around border / territorial waters, I doubt the UN would recognize any National claim on the Moon and Mars (or any other celestial body for that matter).

It's much more likely that Mars will be claimed by a Corporation (preferably not the Terran Hansiatic League).

[james newcombe]

Opal Fruits?

They're called Starburst now... Tsk, Martians are so behind the times