From: "eWarrior \(Kurt Jonach\)" 
Subject: [SO] Extraordinary Root Complexes on Mars
Date: 22 Mar 2001 17:20:00 -0500
To: 


EXTRAORDINARY ROOT COMPLEXES ON MARS

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The Electric Warrior : Mars Online March 22, 2001
http://www.electricwarrior.com/mol/

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EXTRAORDINARY ROOT COMPLEXES ON MARS
by The Electric Warrior

BEYOND CYDONIA

Is there an elaborate system of root-like structures on the
surface of Mars? And does the photographic record of NASA's
Global Surveyor spacecraft reveal what an acclaimed author
suggested about the existence of large life forms of life on
Mars?

"I'm fairly convinced that we have discovered life on Mars,"
said Arthur C. Clarke, who authored '2001: A Space Odyssey.'
In an interview last month Clarke told SPACE.com that the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory has captured some incredible photographs.
"Have a look at them. I don't see any other interpretation."

"It's not fully clear exactly what he is saying is currently
present on Mars," said the 'Enterprise Mission Web site (TEM)
in response to Clarke's comment. "Certainly, his reference to
'large forms of life' can be seen as referencing these specific
features, not as fossils, but as current living things."

The Net's flagship Web site for online Mars anomaly research
was founded by Richard C. Hoagland who is best known as the
principal advocate of the Face on Mars. Hoagland wondered
whether Clarke might be referring to an anomaly identified as
'glass worms' or tubes.

In July of last year TEM speculated that what appeared to be
a semi-translucent tubular structure in the Acidalia Planitia
region of Mars might be indicative of architectural features.
The area borders on Mars' north polar region, beyond Cydonia.

At an event last December, according to TEM, Clarke told the
Planetary Society "I'm still waiting for an explanation of that
extraordinary glass worm on Mars."

COMPETING THEORIES DEFY EXPLANATION

The unusual feature is the subject of an intense, often
acrimonious debate, with scientists and professionals of
various disciplines posting online articles or emailed
rebuttals. 

Its salient characteristics were described by Ron Nicks, a
Consulting Geologist for the Enterprise Mission, who said the
anomaly was a challenge to define in purely geological terms: 

"This remarkable 'tube,' roughly a mile in length and hundreds
of feet wide, appears to cling to a desert canyon wall near the
canyon's bottom, and extend along its entire length. The
feature has the appearance of being 'translucent,' of being
supported at somewhat regular intervals by "ribs," and of being
quite cylindrical. 

The certified geologist ruled out geologic mechanisms before
considering a large biological entity such as a worm. Finally,
after citing the disputed evidence for artificially engineered
structures in the Cydonia region of Mars, Nicks concluded that
the simplest explanation was something analogous to the Lincoln
Tunnel. 

In an email message posted to the Net, Dr. David C. Pieri from
the Earth and Space Sciences Division of JPL questioned both
TEM's analysis and image processing. Pieri said the positive
relief of the disputed feature is an optical illusion. That is,
the feature is actually concave or popped-in, not popped-out.
With appropriate image processing the "glass worm illusion
vanishes, and we're left with a fairly mundane image." 

According to Pieri, the phenomenon of regularly spaced white
lines found in numerous MGS images are nothing new on either
Mars or Earth; they are simply transverse dune-trains on the
valley floor. "Dunes follow aerodynamic principles --
therefore they _do_ often line up in really precise, repetitive
ways." 

Dr. Tom Van Flandern, a professional research astronomer,
questioned whether the "glassy tubes" on Mars were really sand
dunes. Van Flandern is known for his support of Cydonia
research and is associated with the Society for Planetary SETI
Research (SPSR). He said SPSR geologists ruled out dunes early
on as a viable explanation, for various reasons. 

On the Meta Research Web site, Van Flandern argued that winds
on Mars are insufficient to build large dunes. Furthermore,
the white bands are often seen in cracks and fissures where they
ought to be sheltered from surface winds. He also noted that
where shadows can be seen, they are consistent with the glassy
tube interpretation, but not always with the dunes
interpretation. 

Mac Tonnies, an independent journalist who authors The Cydonian
Imperative Web site, investigated the phenomenon in
collaboration with Chris Joseph, who created a spectacular
stereoscopic rendering. Joseph's shape-from-shading photoclino-
metric analysis was undertaken to ascertain whether the tubes
were convex or concave.

Tonnies wrote that there was little doubt the Martian "tunnels"
are three-dimensional features, and certainly not dunes in any
recognizable sense of the term. "It is our hope to provide
objective coverage of this controversy until an answer--be it
geological or archaeological--becomes available." 

With so many people investigating the issue, offering so many
conflicting opinions, electric warriors may wonder why none
have responded to Arthur C. Clarke's suggestion of titanic life
forms on Mars.

AN ORGANIC EXPLANATION

http://www.electricwarrior.com/mol/ewRoot1Thumb.jpg

Figure 1 is cropped from M0400291, captured by Global
Surveyor's Mars Orbital Camera (MOC) on August 11, 1999 at
about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. It shows three of the
disputed surface features, in a Y configuration. The lower one,
running down to the bottom right edge of the image is the
notorious glass worm alluded to by Arthur C. Clarke.

At the top right corner is a feature having striated white
lines with non-uniform spacing, seen to be now closer together,
now further apart as they progress toward the center of the Y
configuration. The Enterprise Mission has suggested the
variations occur for structural reasons; specifically,
structural engineering.

This feature, as photographed by MOC, resembles a tube-like
structure which snakes down into a pit at the center of the Y.

If the white lines are dunes then there are three valleys,
going off in three different directions, with three series of
transverse dune-trains produced by winds that somehow didn't
interfere with the deposition of the others.

Following the third tube-like structure from the center of the
Y, it seems to disappear underground, only to appear again
toward the left edge of the image.

The branching tube-like formations in this image lead to an
unlikely idea: The tubes on Mars may be components of a root-
like living organism. If they are, it's a big one like Clarke
suggested, having no Earthly comparison.

There appears to be a fourth root-like feature emerging from
the center of the Y, only this one is just below the surface.
These root-like features may be snaking down toward a source
of nourishment.

Water or something else beneath the surface could have fostered
the growth of root-like tentacles, which cracked the surface as
they grew and ultimately led to further surface erosion, as
visible in this image.

Running along the bottom edge of the image is the suggestion
of another root-like feature, at first exposed and then
running along underground.

http://www.electricwarrior.com/mol/ewRoot1Strip.jpg

The entire MOC image strip shows another example of these
subterranean root-like features. It begins roughly at the
bottom right edge of this image and runs diagonally down in a
naturalistic jagged line, toward the left edge of the image,
past a crater, finally emerging from underground and
displaying more white striations.

RHIZOME

On Earth, plants known as rhizomes are horizontal, creeping
underground stems that propagate themselves by producing the
shoot and root system of a new plant. Unlike true roots,
rhizomes have nodes and buds, where new sprouts appear.

Earthly rhizomes do not die when cut, like a root, but rather
become several plants instead of one. So, a Martian rhizome,
if such a thing could be said to exist, might be extremely
hard to kill, even when pelted by an occasional meteorite.

A tuber is the enlarged part of a rhizome that stores food.
Tubers swell without definite shape as food accumulates, and
have buds and eyes, like a potato. It is the propagative part
of a plant.

In keeping with what we know about Earthly organic processes,
there is a feature which strongly resembles a tuber, located
at the center of the Y, apparently clinging to the side of the
eroded Martian crevice. The feature known as the glass worm
emerges from the presumptive tuber, as if it were a new shoot.

It looks as if the wedge-shaped Martian tuber keeps the hole
from collapsing, and may have played a part in opening the
crevice. Perhaps this part of the speculative organism is more
adaptive, more amenable to exposure.

There could be another tuberous root underneath the glass worm
feature, which keeps the crevice wedged open, thus protecting
the new shoot from being crushed.

The shiny surface of the tube could be indicative of a thriving,
healthy branch, which has extended all the way to some other
source of nourishment. The other two branches of the Y don't
look nearly as robust.

The high albedo feature on this branch, a focal point
reflecting sunlight, could be a new bud. Indeed, the striations
at this point appear to be somewhat flattened, as if a new tube
or shoot emerged here and snaked away.

The robust life-like impression of the bud suggested herein is
testable. If Global Surveyor captured another image of this
surface feature, and a sufficient amount of time had passed,
there might be evidence of new growth.

But we don't need a new image of the same feature to further
develop the idea of root-like living organisms. All we have to
do is gather more evidence, and observe whether the idea is
either strengthened or invalidated at some point. We need to
look at more images.

A SECOND ROOT CONFIGURATION

http://www.electricwarrior.com/mol/ewRoot2Thumb.jpg

Figure 2 is cropped from M0201270 and shows another root-like
complex, remarkably similar to the first, in the same Y
configuration.

This image was captured two months earlier than the first, on
July 12, 1999, at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The two
features are actually very close to each other; the second is
offset approximately one degree west. It was shot at the same
resolution.

If these features are truly the same kind of organism, then it
is not surprising that there are three shoots going off in
three different directions, as in the first image.

The surrounding terrain is again cracked and eroded, but this
time the pit or opening from which the shoots have emerged is
not as large. One of the shoots burrows underground toward the
right, not far from the center of the Y. 

The image offers one more anomaly which strengthens the notion
that these structures are living organisms: There is a crater
or rounded depression near the top left of the image, and one
of the shoots appears to have fastened itself to the edge, as
if to anchor itself.

http://www.electricwarrior.com/mol/ewRoot2Strip.jpg

The MOC image strip shows an impressive structure that climbs
away from its point of origin and extends for an amazing
distance before it stops. Near the tip, tentacles divide and
spread out. One of these branches burrows underground, the
other tapers off to a point.

This image by itself might pose just another unexplainable
geological phenomenon. But the idea that these are living,
organisms provides a simple explanation consistent with Earthly
creeping plants called rhizomes or rootstock.

HAVE A LOOK

The notion that these are giant biological life forms on Mars
might seem untenable, but if an examination of the images
prompts further insight, why not discuss the idea? It can't
hurt to take a closer look.

This second image gives the impression that a root-like
tentacle emerged from beneath the surface and crept away in
search of sustenance, attaching itself to a nearby crater or
cavity as it grew.

Along the way some of the arc-like supports broke down or 
straitened out, and the structure flattened out as well. Near
the tip, the organism ruptured and deposited some fluid that
left a dark stain on the ground.

This rupture may explain why this tentacle is not as shiny as
the one in the first Y complex we examined. It is possible that
the first tentacle is filled with life-sustaining translucent
fluid or gel. Perhaps the second tentacle is desiccated, or
dying.

To the left of the second Y configuration is another branch,
located at the extreme left of the image, which looks more
robust. Do we dare speculate that there is another tentacle,
one we can't see, which extends off to the left?

There is one more image to examine in this remarkable series.

A CREEPING SHOOT

http://www.electricwarrior.com/mol/ewRoot3Thumb.jpg

Figure 3 cropped from M0001504 shows another root-like tentacle
which starts at the top and runs along the right edge of the
image, tapering off to a point, like a shoot.

The image was captured on April 4, 1999 at about 10 o'clock in
the morning. Its location is approximately 2 degrees south of
the second image, south-west of the first. The image was shot
at a lower resolution than the other two.

Again, this image is not remarkable by itself, and may have a
convincing geological explanation. But the anomalous worm-like
structure in this image, and the shadows to the right of it,
give a strong impression that this is something on top of the
surface, not sunk down into it.

This image, when considered in context with the others, appears
to show what the speculative Martian rootstock looks like as it
propagates. The tentacle looks like it has a smooth or
gelatinous outer skin.

http://www.electricwarrior.com/mol/ewRoot3Strip.jpg

The appearance of the well-formed tapered tip offers a 
convincing notion that this is a creeping stem or shoot,
consistent with the idea that this is a living, biological
organism of some kind.

To the left is another anomalous rounded structure, which looks
like a dome. Highlight and shadow give a clear impression that
this object pops-up from the surface, not down, like a crater. 

Whatever it is, living or not, natural or artificially
constructed, is beyond the scope of this discussion.

COMPARISON WITH OTHER THEORIES

It's worthwhile to examine how the idea of a biological root-
like organism compares with other explanations for the
disputed tube-like anomalies on Mars.

The Enterprise Mission, which discovered the tubes last summer,
has done work to explain that the striated white lines may
provide structural support. It has been suggested that the non-
uniform spacing of the arch-like features would accommodate
different topographies, and varying soil densities, by design.

TEM's explanation of artificially constructed tunnels is at
variance with the idea of a plant-like organism, but their
geologic analysis does not contradict it because the idea was
never explored.

TEM's structural analysis can be adapted to explain the
speculative biological organism. The arcs or rings may provide
structural support when the shoots burrow underground. In the
case of some kind of plant, the non-uniform spacing is not
problematic.

Van Flandern has observed that faint white bands are visible
between bright ones, and has concurred that the tubes appear
to be translucent. This is consistent with the idea that the
organism has a soft or gelatinous outer skin.

The shape-from-shading analysis offered by Joseph and Tonnies
shows that the white features stick out from the surface of
the tubes. But other images suggest that these features are
recessed. This is evident from shadows on the long tentacle
originating at the second Y complex.

The striated white lines, which have also been described as
dunes, may present a conundrum because they are visible in two
different contexts. The organic explanation might simplify the
issue. Perhaps they give the organism tensile strength.

It's possible these arcing features are not attached to the
ground as they grow, and only later become fixed in place to
provide structural support. The apparently soft, pliable outer
skin of the creeping shoots would be crushed underground. 

The photographic record is not incompatible with this analysis:
In Figure 2 there appear to be two or more shoots present,
under the skin, in places where the white lines look broken or
stretched out.

The geological explanation from JPL involves transverse dune-
trains in concave valleys, and an assertion that at least one
of these features has no positive relief. The second Y complex
has a curved tube clinging to the side of a crevice. The mind
resists efforts to mentally pop this feature in, so that it
has negative relief. Perhaps a better geological explanation
can be offered.

Although we don't know what life forms Clarke was alluding to,
we know that one of the images he examined had features
resembling large bushes or trees. If conditions on Mars were
inhospitable to organic processes, we can surmise that an
author known for basing fiction on hard science wouldn't have
mentioned plant life.

In summary, none of the other explanations contradict the idea
of a biological organism, except the JPL dune theory, which is
not entirely satisfactory.

WHO CARES WHAT YOU THINK

Arthur C. Clarke was right, JPL has captured some incredible
photographs. Let's be honest. Unless Clarke had suggested that
they provide pretty convincing proof of the existence of large
forms of life on Mars, you wouldn't be reading this today. It's
an extraordinary statement.

The explanation offered herein for the tubes on Mars is not
rigorous. It relies on facts that are commonly known to explain
something unknown.

The notion that these features resemble roots is supported by
the images, but the resemblance may be superficial. The idea
may be elucidated by facts about rootstock and tuberous roots,
but there are no known life-forms beyond Earth.

Further investigation of the enigmatic root-like complexes on
Mars will require much more than extraordinary photographic
evidence. It will require the efforts of extraordinary people.

People who open their minds before they open their mouths.
People who can critically examine scientific evidence before
criticizing conclusions. People who can evaluate new
information, without clinging to apriori opinions.

As the late Richard Feynman once said, who cares what you
_think_?

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ABOUT THE IMAGES

The images discussed herein can be viewed at the USGS online
PDS Mars Global Surveyor MOC Image Collection. The PDS images
have been scaled to a normalized pixel aspect ratio. 

http://ida.wr.usgs.gov/html/m04002/m0400291.html
http://ida.wr.usgs.gov/html/m02012/m0201270.html
http://ida.wr.usgs.gov/html/m00015/m0001504.html

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RELATED RESOURCES

Clarke's Believe It or Not
http://www.space.com/peopleinterviews/clarke_believe_010227.html

Sir Arthur Ups the Ante
http://www.enterprisemission.com/sir.htm

JPL Scientist's Explanation Of The 'Tubes' On Mars
http://www.sightings.com/general9/jpl.htm

Glassy tubes" on Mars are sand dunes? 
http://www.metaresearch.org/home/Viewpoint/Meta-in-News.asp

Shape-from-Shading Offers Perspective View of "Glass Tunnel"
http://www.geocities.com/macbot/imperative15.html

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THE ELECTRIC WARRIOR
March 22, 2001
Silicon Valley, CA
http://www.electricwarrior.com

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without permission.

eWarrior@electricwarrior.com



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