Enhancements copyright (C) Marcia L. Peters, all rights reserved |
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This is from the upper right corner of the last MOC photo in the Bend at Reull Vallis series. We are intrigued by the apparent linear structure at the base of the cliff near the center of the photo. |
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Imagine that is a 2-bladed windmill mounted on a horizontal shaft, with a motor attached at the back of the shaft. The horizontal shaft is mounted to a cylindrical vertical pillar sitting on a base shaped like a flattened cylinder. |
If I'm right, the whole structure
would stand about 67 m (220') high - similar to the scale of modern
earthly wind turbines.
Now, I'm not so sure the base of a cliff would be the best place to locate a windmill - but maybe the strong updraft resulting when warmed air rushes up over the mesa is a good setting for strong and reliable winds. |
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