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TOPIC: Rocks from Mars

Blobrana

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Posts: 131433

Date: Jun 26 13:12 2005

RE: Indian Mars Rocks	Permalink

Scientists Dr Amitabha Ghosh, Dr Michael Wyatt and Dr Jim Rice have been travelling across India to ask youngsters to send them rocks found in their backyard or region. "We want to bring to you the excitement of exploring a planet 100 million miles away from the Earth. Rover's journey took seven months, landing on Mars in January 2004, and at the crucial moment of entry, descent and landing, we did not get any signals for 15 minutes. Just when we thought all was lost, the signals came through. Since then, the two robotic explorers have covered around 600 square metres" - Dr Amitabha Ghosh. "A small red rock measuring six inches, which was lying on the road, caught my attention. I picked it up and took it home. I packed it and dispatched to the Arizona State University from the Dadar post office" - Mayuresh Marathe. Originally, he did not want to publicise it because he was not sure whether the public would be interested in it. Wyatt said that a preliminary analysis indicated that it contained a lot of iron ore common in rocks found both on earth as well as on Mars. Mayuresh, in the computer business, said: "I have always been fascinated with astronomy and space sciences and I am now glad to be a part of it" It is also reported elewher that it was analysed as feldspar, also a common mineral found on Earth and Mars. Anmol, a Class-XII student of the D Y Patil Junior College in Navi Mumbai, also came to know about the rock programme through the Nasa site. He said that he collected the rock sample from a hill at Khargar in Navi Mumbai in December 2003. "I sent it from the Vashi post office and got the Nasa certificate in July 2004. I went to the Cidco office, obtained the precise details of the spot from where the sample was found and sent it along with consignment. I did not give any publicity about it because I felt that it would not excite the public" He said the university was developing a library of rock samples from all over the world for analysis. www.tharsisindia.com/ -- Edited by Blobrana at 14:13, 2005-06-26 __________________

Blobrana

L

Posts: 131433

Date: Jun 26 12:57 2005

Rocks from Mars	Permalink

An Indian rock sample sent by two city lads to Arizona State University in NASA's "rock around the world" programme, has found similarity with the rocks found on Mars planet. The rock sample sent by the two Mumbai boys, Mayuresh Marathe and Anmol Nathani, has similarity with the rocks that are found on Mars planet. Scientist Michael Wyatt said the rock sent by Mayuresh was an iron core commonly found on Earth and is also found to be in abundance on Mars. A science graduate, Mayuresh, collected the red rock at Vikhroli station and sent it to Arizona State University in December last year after going through the invitation for students on the website portal. "I was very happy after I received an acknowledgement from NASA for sending the rock sample" - Mayuresh Marathe. Similarly Nathani, son of a geologist, had collected the rock sample from a hill near his residence at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai. Wyatt said the rock sent by Nathani is a sedimentary rock and resembles that found on Mars. For Nathani, the NASA certificate acknowledging his participation, is a moment to cherish as he once had ambition of join NASA. Amitabh Ghosh, member of the mars exploration rover mission who is leading the NASA scientist team in the tour of the country, said they have received around 5000 rock samples from students all over the world through the programme. "However, there was very low participation from India" - Amitabh Ghosh. The efforts of his team were to inculcate scientific attitude in the students. -- Edited by Blobrana at 14:12, 2005-06-26 __________________

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