Entrance-way on Mars

[George J. Haas]

On May 5, 2022 Jean Ward of the Raptor Zone web site posted an article tilted ROVER CURIOSITY Possible Entrance-way (Sol 3466) that included a NASA Rover image of what appears to be a machine-cut door-way on the slope of a rock face on Mars (Figure 1). Ward estimates the Entrance-way to be around 2.5 meters high.



Figure 1
Entrance-way (detail of Sol 3466)

The image in Figure 1 was taken by Mast Camera (Mastcam) onboard NASA's Mars rover Curiosity on Sol 3466 and posted on their Curiosity Raw image page on May 5, 2022.


Original NASA Source:LINK

Raptor Zone article:LINK


GJH

[George J. Haas]

Here is a Gigapan of the area posted by Neville Thompson (Figure 2).



Figure 2
Gigapan by Neville Thompson
Note: Entrance-way is located at the center of the image.



Gignpan:LINK





GJH

[George J. Haas]

Here is a crop of the area that shows the entrance-way (Figure 3).

Many researchers, including some NASA scientist believe that the large rock in the foreground may be the door that once covered the Entrance-way.



Figure 3
Entrance-way with "rock"
Detail of Gigapan by Neville Thompson


GJH

[George J. Haas]

In studying the machine-like precision of the rectangular-shaped Entrance-way and comparing it to the large triangular-shape of the rock in the foreground, their shapes don't seem to fit (Figure 4).



Figure 4
Entrance-way
Note shape of rock and doorway.



If you take a close look at the left side of the entrance-way, there is a partial wall jutting out from the door frame that appears to be broken.


GJH

[George J. Haas]

I propose that the large "rock" in the foreground, is not a door but, is part of a blown off rock wall that once stood on the left side of the Entrance-way (Figure 5).



Figure 5
Rock Wall blown off foundation.


Here is a recreation of the rock wall, in which I inverted and pasted the large "rock" onto the foundational remains of where the original wall stood (Figure 6).




Figure 6
Wall reconstruction.

A perfect fit.


Your thoughts.


GJH

[starjim]

Figure 4: I thought on first look that the rock closest to the doorway on the right side was a missing piece to the entrance... but both pieces could fit there.

However, looking at the wall on the right side, I would lean towards the idea that the wall exists as is, and these two boulders are just ancillary to the doorway. The wall just looks complete and properly weathered and layered in its natural state.

[williamsaunders]

If this was a natural geologic feature:

1. The opening would not have a rectangular shape.

2. Surfaces B, C, and D would be the same color and texture as A (see diagram}. 

3. You would not have 5 (or more), 90 degree angles in the same feature.



     

[George J. Haas]

Here is a comparison of the rectangular-shaped Entrance-way on Mars with a similar shaped mining shaft door-way found on earth (Figure 7).



Figure 7
Rectangular-shaped entrance-way comparison.
Left: Mars
Right: Earth

Notice they both have large rocks strewn around the foreground.

GJH

[alane011]

Here was my sizing estimate based off of the crafted stone wall to the right:

Attachments:

[starjim]

Here is the presentation that Martine Grainey presented on the FB group Mars Research. She provides the links to Nevilles' Gigapan of the site. We see the entrance from both the right and the left.... now wheres the straight on shot?

Regarding height, I offer that the strata is most likely 2" thick or less. A quick count of layers comes to about 30 defined layers. 30 x 2" = 60" or 5' I think that is close enough for government work. IF the doorway is 1/2 the height than the opening is 5' x 2 1/2'.

You could also use a ruler on the height and then on the width and compare the two.

[George J. Haas]

Here is a quick study conducted by Miller and I of the layered strata of the sedimentary rock along the eastern side of the Entrance-way (Figure 8). The average size of each layer of terrestrial strata is about 2 inches thick. So if we use 2 inches as a guide, I have counted about 30 layers of segmented rock along the eastern side of the Entrance-way.

2X30 = 60 inches, which is 5 feet.



Figure 8
Layered Strata Count.


GJH

[George J. Haas]

There are 5 different images that were acquired by the Curiosity Rover on May 7, 2022 that show the Entrance-way.

Here is the first image (Figure 9).



Figure 9
Entrance-way (5/7/2022 T07:57:45)


GJH

[mjcraig]

My thinking is that the best estimate of size you will get, is if you can work out how far away the rover camera is. Therefore, from the image detail of the foreground, which is very sharp, I concluded the Rover was trundling fairly close by, with the camera angle directed at rocks just several metres away, as it often does.

My guess, therefore, was 30-40 cm (12-16") in height, which is not far off the reported JPL quote.

However, in search of a proper image measuring tool to avoid wasting so much time, I have managed to dig this one up for those researchers who don't already know about it. It's called the “Image measurement and annotation tool” buried within the "Analyst's Notebook" updated by the PDS Geosciences Node. It's a bit of a headache as it's designed for planetary scientists, (which is why I probably forgot about it! , but here's the start point to finding it: an.rsl.wustl.edu/help/Content/Getting started/Where do I start.htm

an.rsl.wustl.edu/help/Content/Using%20the%20Notebook/Detail%20pages/Data/Image%20viewer%20measurement%20tools.htm

[George J. Haas]

Hi M J. Thanks for your input and the links.

I understand what you are saying but we really don't know how far away the rover is from the entrance-way. That information would be helpful.

Therefore our only guide is the size of the layered strata observed within the rocks in the foreground and the layered rocks around the entrance-way. I believe that is the key to estimating size.

The Entrance-way is not as close to the rover camera - as you might think - see Figures 10 and 11.



Figure 10
3465 - Neville Thompson Giga pan




Figure 11
3466 - Neville Thompson Giga pan


The entrance-way is circled in both images.

Notice how far it is.




As I have said - It doesn't matter what size the pistol is, it's still smoking!



GJH

[George J. Haas]

Here is the second image (Figure 12) of the Entrance-way that was acquired by the Curiosity Rover on May 7, 2022 (Figure 12).



Figure 12
Entrance-way (5/7/2022 T07:57:46)



GJH