Have you ever heard of the sailing stones? They are rocks that seem to move by themselves, leaving long trails on the dry lakebed of Death Valley, California. Some of these rocks weigh more than 300 kilograms, and their tracks can be hundreds of meters long. How do they do it? Is it a supernatural phenomenon, or a natural mystery?
In this article, we will explore the urban legend of the sailing stones, and the scientific explanations that have been proposed to solve it. We will also look at how NASA researchers conducted experiments to observe and measure the movement of these rocks, and what they found out.
The Legend of the Sailing Stones
The sailing stones are located on a place called Racetrack Playa, a flat and dry lakebed in Death Valley National Park. The name comes from the fact that the rocks seem to race across the surface, leaving behind long and curved tracks. The tracks vary in direction and length, and sometimes cross or change abruptly. Some rocks move in parallel, while others diverge or converge.
The sailing stones have been known since the early 1900s, but no one has ever seen them move in person. This has led to many speculations and myths about their origin and nature. Some people believe that they are moved by magnetic forces, or by aliens, or by spirits. Others think that they are part of a prank or a hoax.
The Science of the Sailing Stones
Over the years, several scientific hypotheses have been suggested to explain how the sailing stones move. Some of them involve natural forces like wind, rain, ice, and gravity. For example, one theory is that strong winds blow the rocks across the wet and slippery surface of the playa after a rainstorm. Another theory is that ice forms around the rocks at night, and then melts during the day, creating a slippery layer that allows them to slide.
However, none of these theories could fully account for all the features and patterns of the tracks. For instance, how could wind move such heavy rocks? And why do some rocks move more than others, or in different directions? And how could ice form in such a hot and dry place?
The NASA Experiment on the Sailing Stones
In 2014, a team of researchers from NASA and other institutions decided to conduct an experiment to solve the mystery of the sailing stones. They placed GPS trackers and weather stations under some of the rocks, and set up time-lapse cameras to record their movements. They also measured the temperature and humidity of the air and the ground.
What they discovered was surprising and fascinating. They found out that the sailing stones move only under very specific conditions: when there is enough rain to form a shallow pond on the playa, when the temperature drops below freezing at night, and when there is enough wind to break and push the thin ice sheets that form on top of the water.
Under these conditions, the rocks become embedded in the ice sheets, which act like sails that catch the wind. As the ice sheets melt during the day, they slide across the muddy surface of the playa, dragging the rocks with them. The researchers were able to witness this process for the first time, and capture it on video.
The Conclusion: A Natural Wonder
The sailing stones of Death Valley are not a paranormal phenomenon, but a natural wonder. They are the result of a rare combination of factors that create a unique geological spectacle. They show us how nature can be mysterious and beautiful, and how science can help us understand and appreciate it.
If you want to see the sailing stones for yourself, you can visit Death Valley National Park, but be prepared for a long and rough drive. You will need a high-clearance vehicle with four-wheel drive to reach Racetrack Playa, which is about 45 kilometers from the nearest paved road. You will also need to respect the rules and regulations of the park, and not disturb or damage the rocks or their tracks.
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