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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Re: Where are the round rocks on Mars ?
« on: 17/05/2024 13:20:07 »
They probably never existed, or haven't yet evolved.
Rocks tend to fracture with straight edges. You need the erosive action of grit-laden water or wind to polish them into smooth shapes, and Mars seems somewhat deficient in both.
The alternative source of mineral rotundity can be a volcanic eruption of liquid that freezes slowly as it descends through a viscous atmosphere. but again Mars isn't the best place to manufacture lead shot by that traditional process.
Umpteen years ago the New Scientist published a question about the distribution of flat stones on a seashore. My 6-year-old son pointed out that all the good ones will have been thrown into the sea by small boys, so you won't find many above the high water mark. Extrapolating from that wisdom, and from the Apollo program of exporting human stupidity to other planets, I think you might find round rocks inside the so-called craters that form the Mars crazy golf course.
Rocks tend to fracture with straight edges. You need the erosive action of grit-laden water or wind to polish them into smooth shapes, and Mars seems somewhat deficient in both.
The alternative source of mineral rotundity can be a volcanic eruption of liquid that freezes slowly as it descends through a viscous atmosphere. but again Mars isn't the best place to manufacture lead shot by that traditional process.
Umpteen years ago the New Scientist published a question about the distribution of flat stones on a seashore. My 6-year-old son pointed out that all the good ones will have been thrown into the sea by small boys, so you won't find many above the high water mark. Extrapolating from that wisdom, and from the Apollo program of exporting human stupidity to other planets, I think you might find round rocks inside the so-called craters that form the Mars crazy golf course.
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