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... is a great move! Really enjoyed it. Okay, don't argue too much with the science (particularly towards the end) and the wide shots of the rover make it look like it's a Dinky Toy, but it's got a good mix of humour, adventure and music.
I'll stop there so no spoiler alerts are required. Just to add that I've heard that the book is very good, too, though I haven't read that.
Posted : 03/10/2015 12:26 am
Oh great, I'm seeing it tonight at the O2. I have been looking forward to it but also a little apprehensive of Ridley Scott's mixed output in recent years. I am not surprised at your comments on its science though. Have you seen his previous film, Prometheous? His interpretation of evolution was ridiculously laughable (though admittedly beautifully cinematic). I dont think plausible science is a strong point in his Scifi films.
I do wonder about the timing of the "water on Mars" announcement coinciding with the release of this film! NASA is quite invovled with marketing of the film too. I have to be honest, when I heard the announcement, I always thought we always knew there was water on Mars? Or was that just ice? I seem to recall a similar before/after set of images many years ago showing a patch of water trail that dissipated later. But those new pictures are certainly a fascinating tease but is it really a revelation?
Posted : 03/10/2015 2:36 pm
Topic starter
You're not wrong, Tej. Apparently they've suspected the presence of liquid water for some time, but they didn't know what caused those seasonally-altering streaks.
These streaks, called "recurring slope lineae" (RSL), were well known to Mars scientists and were suspected - but not proven - to be associated with trickling water.
But the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has now analysed their chemical composition and found them to be very salty, which lowers water's freezing point and reduces its tendency to boil off in thin atmospheres.
The combination allows briney water to stay stable long enough to trickle down hillsides and crater walls.
Quite where the water is coming from to make the streaks is still unclear, however.
From the BBC.
Posted : 03/10/2015 3:05 pm
Topic starter
From The Economist:
"We're talking about tiny bubbles of very briny water on a planet that has a very thin atmosphere whose surface is blasted with radiation."
So - no little green men, then.
Posted : 04/10/2015 7:50 am
The film was indeed enjoyable. It's a straightforward survival adventure which reminds me of Gravity, Apollo 13 and an old early 70s scifi called Marooned (and a even a bit of Wall-E!) but actually there is a lot of interesting science in the film that seem very plausible, well at least to my gullible mind! The scenarios are of course outrageous which makes the film fun. It's no future classic, no memorable "attack ships off the shoulders of Orion" quotes to hold onto but its fun, I would give it a 7/10. Its also surprisingly funny given Ridley Scott never does humour.
Next up Star Wars! Now that's when we'll get real science in space, ha!
I like this viral video of Tyson explaining the "mars mission" 🙂
Posted : 04/10/2015 9:56 pm
Hmm, the films doesnt do too bad in the facts analysis in this article (mild spoilers, dont read if you havent seen the film). The first fact is interesting, considering it's the biggest plot drive!
Posted : 04/10/2015 10:15 pm
