By Dan Nosowitz Posted 08.20.2012 at 10:57 am 5 Comments

Mars Rock N165 NASA

The Martian rock recently named N165 found itself thrust into the limelight this week as it received a new neighbor from Earth--the Mars rover Curiosity. Some genius made a Twitter account from the perspective of N165 as it meets Curiosity, attempts to make friends--and is ruthlessly attacked.

The Sad Tale of Martian Rock N165

A peaceful rock on Mars gets zapped by Earth lasers

Storified by Popular Science · Mon, Aug 20 2012 07:36:55

The story begins, like any other "sol," or solar day, in Mars's Gale Crater--with the addition of an unexpected new neighbor.
It's a beautiful Sol here in Gale Crater!N165 aka Coronation
So much going on around here lately - the most excitement I've had in millions of years! But I'm glad it's back to normal now.N165 aka Coronation
The big metal creature was scary at first, with the rockets and noise, but I'm sure it's just curious. Maybe I should say hello!N165 aka Coronation
@MarsCuriosity Hi there! Welcome to the neighborhood! I see that you're new here -- would you like to be friends?N165 aka Coronation
@MarsCuriosity So, uh, is this your first time on Mars?N165 aka Coronation
The big metal creature is still just staring at me. I think maybe it's a little shy.N165 aka Coronation
This is where things start to go wrong.
Oo, it's making some kind of whirring sound now. Maybe it's trying to communicate with me! Hello!N165 aka Coronation
Okay, the big metal creature has stopped whirring now but the staring is getting a little uncomfortable...N165 aka Coronation
@NiskyMom2Four @MarsCuriosity Wait, laser? What laser?N165 aka Coronation
Come on, guys, I know you're just fooling. What are the chances? Out of all the rocks on Mars, a killer robot would pick me? Haha! :)N165 aka Coronation
My robot friend is still staring, and is making a strange clicking noise now. It's kind of making me nervous. :/N165 aka Coronation
Hey @MarsCuriosity... um... what are you up to?N165 aka Coronation
< looks around nervously >N165 aka Coronation
Um, @MarsCuriosity, what are you.... hey! ... HEY!N165 aka Coronation
OW OW OW! STOP IT!N165 aka Coronation
HELP!N165 aka Coronation
< puff of dust > < silence >N165 aka Coronation

5 Comments

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Robot
08/20/12 at 11:38 am

Tweetal de toa tweetal dumb, ....... sigh.
I wish to see many clear detailed Mars pictures, please!

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ironfist
08/20/12 at 2:32 pm

Agreed with Robot, dumbing down articles is good for the type of people that read people magazine...nonsense. Elevate. Sure...awesome Martian pics please as well!

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JediMindset
08/21/12 at 11:29 am

what the heck? not funny not cute. maybe for 6 year olds.....what were you thinking nasa? giving tweeter a plug.

"You take the blue pill – the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill – you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes." -Morpheus

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Eulogy
08/21/12 at 10:16 pm

Rawr, everything must be criticized!

Seriously, not EVERYTHING has to be "elevated". It is "Popular" Science, isn't it? Though I'm sure you could give a go with an offshoot entitled "Exclusionary Science". It doesn't say WHO created the account - just somebody having some fun. Good on them.

I personally thought it was a cute little anecdote. ^ ^b

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Robot
08/22/12 at 6:40 pm

Hi honey! Did you sleep well?
Ya Mom, I slept really well.
Guess what!
What baby?
Last night I created a tweet account,
pretending to be a Marshian rock and then
I was the Robot Curiosity tweet account.
I then had a conversation with the rock.
Thats nice dear. Eat your ceral,
and do not be late for school! ;)



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