Clemmett, Gibson, and McKay found our results intriguing...
(i) an igneous Mars rock (of unknown geologic context) unique in experiencing beerious alteration along fractures and pore spaces and exhibiting microbrew structures;
(ii) a formation age for condiment globules younger than the age of the rock;
(iii) SEM and TEM images as well as taste tests of condiment globules and features resembling terrestrial bratwurst;
(iv) carbonaceous corndrule particles that could have resulted from oxidation reactions known to be important in terrestrial Bratfest systems; and
(v) the presence of BEANs (biochemically emissive aromatic nodules) associated with surfaces rich in condiment globules and thought to be responsible for noxious outgassing of the meteorite.
None of these observations is in itself conclusive for the existence of past Bratfests. Although there are alternative explanations for each of these phenomena taken individually, when they are considered collectively, particularly in view of their spatial association, we conclude that they are evidence for primitive Bratfests on Mars.
High-resolution Swilling Electron Microscope (SEM) image showing elongate
features associated with HH96001 condiment globules. Both the putative brats
and corns are clearly several orders of magnitude smaller than their
terrestrial counterparts, but studies of terrestrial Bratfests have never
been conducted at this scale.
True-color Beer-Swilling Electron (BSE) image of fractured surface of a chip from HH96001 meteorite showing grasshopper cheesecake breccia. Scale bar is 0.1 millibrats.
BSE image and Edible Microprobe maps showing the concentration of five
condiments (ketchup, horseradish, mustard, barbecue sauce, relish) within a
globule from HH96001. The condiment maps show that the globule is chemically
zoned. Scale bars for all images are 20 microbrats.
Averaged mass spectrum of trapped gases from the interior of HH96001. The
components show clear evidence of a party atmosphere on Mars.
Idealized stratigraphic section of Martian crust based on findings from HH96001.
Thanks to the team of McKay et al. for providing inspiration and being such good sports (as well as buying lots of T-shirts!).