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What are those strange white patterns in China's Gobi Desert? For weeks, experts have puzzled over the crazy lines that show up in satellite images.
Some of the theories have taken wild turns: Maybe they're messages directed at Earth-observing extraterrestrials, or part of a UFO development program, or the remains of ancient cities. But the leading theory is that these patterns serve a variety of purposes for the Chinese military, including calibrating satellite imaging systems and testing radar avoidance techniques. There have also been claims that these are "fractal antennas" to shield underground weapons facilities from ground-penetrating radar.
This particular crazy-quilt pattern was picked up on July 27 from an altitude of 423 miles by the Ikonos satellite, one of the spacecraft in a commercial Earth-imaging constellation operated by GeoEye. The picture is today's offering from the Cosmic Log Space Advent Calendar, which features views of Earth from space every day until Christmas.
Whatever the precise purpose of these patterns might be, it's not all that unusual for people to draw huge lines in the sand: Consider Peru's famous Nazca Lines, which were etched more than 1,500 years ago to form patterns that look like geometric shapes, insects and birds. Some of those patterns can be seen in their full form only from the air. More recently, archaeologists have puzzled over wheel-like patterns in the Middle East.
What do you think about the Gobi puzzles? Feel free to add your comments below, and check out these past entries from the Advent calendar:
- The full Cosmic Log Space Advent Calendar
- Dec. 1: An ornament in outer space
- Dec. 2: The masses in Mecca
- Dec. 3: Santa's shrinking domain
- Dec. 4: The monster of Madagascar
- Dec. 5: Antarctica stripped naked
- Dec. 6: Streaking for home
- Dec. 7: Pearl Harbor from above, 1941-2011
- Dec. 8: The rise and fall of the Dead Sea
- Dec. 9: How an eclipse dims Earth
- Dec. 10: Psychedelic storm
- Dec. 11: Beauty of the Inland Sea
- Dec. 12: Drone-spotting stirs up debate
- Dec. 13: Light up your St. Lucy's Day
- Dec. 14: Satellite spots Chinese aircraft carrier
- Dec. 15: Hooray for Hollywood
- Dec. 16: Olympics under construction
- Hubble calendar, from The Atlantic's In Focus
- 2011 Zooniverse Advent calendar
Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter and adding the Cosmic Log page to your Google+ presence. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for new worlds.
Leave a Comment:
These are the directions my sister-in-law gives to the restaurant where are aupposed to meet after Christmas.
It's a giant picture of Newt Gingrich's brain activity. It's all over the place, yet goes nowhere
It's Zenu's signature.
Chinese crop circles. End of story.
It's a giant paint-by-number.
Could they be slash lines cleared for seismic reflection surveying (exploration) for oil deposits?
Very good point but with no scale or long/lat do you think this may be on a very large area? Not saying you are wrong but this is not at a 660 scale more of a 22000? Is this the area to be cleaered for it?
I can see a picture of Jesus' face! It MUST be a sign!!
It's typical Chinese writing. Translated it says "Gotcha"
It is a canal system as odd as it looks. If you look at the topography,most lines run throughout low and high points and many do not but almost all start or end in a "collector or receiver" position. The lower part of the photo may be a highland runoff area or more likely a low land inlet area.
Sorry, not low land inlet area but low land outlet area.
I did that!
Americans are the only ones who ride four-wheelers and dirtbikes in the desert?
These are drone runways....
So, Alan Boyle, of you knew what they were -- Chinese satellite alignment patterns -- why did you pretend the purpose was unknown.
Pathetic. And dishonest. Go away.
Depending on what the satellite is actually showing us (it definitely is not a simple photo), it could easily be showing an underground tunnel system used for various purposes. There are distinct variations that seem to be overlaying the pattern that are consistent with what would be the topography of the various parts of the area.
So, in my opinion, the likelihood of it being anything but a tunnel system that was detected using some sort of souped up ground penetrating radar, or possibly a sensor designed to pick up radioactive returns if this is a sophisticated large scale nuclear bunker system with the capability of moving weaponry from one location to another without the need to surface, seems rather unlikely, especially being in a remote location away from major population centers from what the image appears to show.
Maybe it's the world's biggest QR code.
No, this is for the development of accurate warhead and bomber targeting systems based upon analysis and recognition of city street patterns, in order to make their warheads and bombers more accurate in the future. After all, the Chinese know they can't rely upon GPS for precise targeting of their missile warheads or bombers in time of war, so they have to come up with some alternative system for precise targeting of their warheads and bombers based upon man made ground patterns, the most obvious being city street patterns. - RC
PS - Especially (but not exclusively) cruise missile guidance systems. - RC
Maybe to confuse americans as they have such low IQs
By the way, why is being reported that the US military has now officially left Iraq, what about the remaining 5,000 still left there ??????????????????????? Morons can't even count
Maybe it's just a joke. Like crop circles. Chinese soldiers on a nearby military base may just have too much time on their hand.
"To Serve Man"
It is a maze is used to help Chinese armored units get situational awareness
What if the Chinese suddenly should tell us: "We've been in contact with aliens for years - just forgot to mention it to you somehow."
Who mentioned "fractal" concerning these patterns? I do not see a fractal nature in this display. Zoomed way out or in, it just does not follow the definition.
Perhaps it's Chinese aliens! Look to the skies! Look to the skies! The sky is falling!
Just scan it into your phone. It's obviously some kind of an app.