Author Topic: Mysterious ChiCom Pics  (Read 2169 times)

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Offline Libertas

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Mysterious ChiCom Pics
« on: November 15, 2011, 11:58:00 AM »
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/google-maps-shows-strange-grid-like-images-in-china-nobody-really-knows/

The first one almost looks like something set up to calibrate satellite-based targeting systems.  Wonder if the grid prepesents any known city street layout?  Maybe its just for poops n' grins.  Whatever created the pattern looks cheap and easy no mater how you slice it, so I think it is less menacing than it appears.

The second one looks like a proving ground, not too ominous to me.

The last pic is curious, some sort of testing facility?  Perhaps rocket propulsion?

The link I chased here has a some of these and a couple new ones...a circular proving ground, closeups's of buildings, that lanscape thingy real?  New camoflage system?  And the poor attempt to place the first grid over DC failed utterly.  Instead of streets it almost looks more like tunnels to me now.

http://gizmodo.com/5859081/why-is-china-building-these-gigantic-structures-in-the-middle-of-the-desert

Let the speculatin' commence!   ::foilhathelicopter::
We are now where The Founders were when they faced despotism.

charlesoakwood

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Re: Mysterious ChiCom Pics
« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2011, 01:26:12 PM »
From the Google map, backed off about 1/2 way,
they seem to be built on the side of a steep slope
on the side of one big mountain.

ETA: down into one big river.  There are also many
pour offs, arroyos, and gulleys.  It's calligraphic
Chinese saying, the tunnels aren't here.


ETA2: They start about 20 west of Boluohu.
« Last Edit: November 15, 2011, 01:33:54 PM by Charles Oakwood »

charlesoakwood

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Re: Mysterious ChiCom Pics
« Reply #2 on: November 15, 2011, 02:24:12 PM »

Dunhuang, is about 30 miles SSE of Boluohu, China.

China Tour Packages

 Mogao Caves
Located 25 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang, Mogao Caves is regarded as the premier Buddhist spot in China, perhaps in the whole world. The artistic features of the treasured Buddhist murals represent perfectly the artistic style of the Northern Wei (386-543), Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) dynasties through the combination of the architecture, statues and murals in the caves. Presently, there are about ten caves and two exhibition centers open to the public, occasionally more during public holidays.
 
Dunhuang Echoing-Sand Mountain Echoing-Sand Mountain
Five kilometers south of Dunhuang City, Echoing-Sand Mountain is the accumulation of years of sand in the size of rice. Each time the wind blows, there is a sound from the mountain and when there is a breeze, the sound is like musical instruments, hence the name. The most marvelous experience is when after climbing to the top, although quite strenuous, one can slide down to the foot of the mountain, a wonderfully amusing experience!
Crescent Lake Crescent Lake
Five kilometers southwest of Dunhuang, the Crescent Lake lies in the arms of Echoing-Sand Mountain, appearing clear and beautiful. The lake is crescent-shaped, hence the name. It's surrounded by quicksand. Although it's quite windy sometimes, the lake has never been covered by the sand. It's really a marvelous spectacle in the desert.
Yangguan Pass of the Great Wall Yangguan Pass
Located 70 kilometers (about 43.5 miles) southwest of Dunhuang, the Yangguan Pass is the gateway to the south western region on the way to the Silk Road. The beacon tower is all that remains of the Pass. Near the Yangguan Pass is Nanhu, a local grape producing area and Grape Gallery. Tourists can sit on the stone benches, sample the sweet grapes and wander through the gallery to learn about local folk-customs.
Yumen Pass of the Great Wall Yumenguan Pass
Situated 90 kilometers (about 55.9 miles) northwest of Dunhuang City, the Yumen Pass was an important gateway to the western region in ancient times. Yumen Pass, Hecang Town and Han Great Wall (Han Dynasty), are the major sights in this area. Since the Yangguan Pass and the Yumen Pass are a distance from Dunhuang, one can have a feel for the desolation of western China. Yangguan Pass is relatively closer to the city and a comparatively smoother ride. Taxis can be hired for the hour drive and it is wise to stay away from minibuses, as the fare is greater.
More Attractions

 Ancient City of Dunhuang Movie Set was originally designed for the setting of the historical film Dunhuang in 1987. Nowadays, it is the biggest set for shooting movies in northwest China.

 Dunhuang Museum reflects the flourishing social development and cultural exchange between China and the West when Dunhuang was a major stop along the Silk Road.

 Western Thousand-Buddhas Cave , situated 35 kilometers southwest of Dunhuang, on a cliff north of Danghe River, won its name due to its location in the western part of Mogao Caves. Most of the sixteen caves were excavated during the North Wei Dynasty (386-543). Approximately seven of the caves can not be reached, but tourists can observe them from a distance.

 White Horse Dagoba established in 386, is two kilometers (about 1.2 miles) from the downtown Dunhuang. It's the burial place of Kumarajiva, a master specializing in Buddhist Dharma's white horse.

 Dunhuang Folk-Custom Museum is located inside Crescent Lake's scenic spot. Constructed in the traditional Dunhuang architectural style, it presents the folk-customs of western China, including religion, everyday life, wedding custom, needlework, etc.

 Dunhuang Yadan National Geology Park is a physiognomy landscape formed by aeolian erosion. It is composed of various sculptures, and one may find numerous well known architectures here. It is situated 75 kilometers (about 46.6 miles) west of the Yumen Pass, taking approximately three hours to reach by taxi. Because of the eeriness of the sound of the wind blowing at night, the locals refer to it as Ghost Town. While traveling on this line, tourists should prepare enough food and water and bring along a hat and sunglasses. Cameras should also be protected from the strong sandstorms.

Offline Damn_Lucky

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Re: Mysterious ChiCom Pics
« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2011, 06:04:19 PM »
Ok let me be the first to tell everybody what's going on.
ET phoned home and they are on their way back! ::hysterical:: ::hysterical::
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Offline Libertas

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Re: Mysterious ChiCom Pics
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2011, 07:51:27 AM »
Can I hitch a ride?  That would be the ultimate "going Galt", eh?

Beam me up Scotty!

 ;D
We are now where The Founders were when they faced despotism.

Offline BMG

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Re: Mysterious ChiCom Pics
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2011, 11:25:16 PM »
http://www.livescience.com/17052-mysterious-symbols-china-desert-spy-satellite-targets-expert.html

Quote
It turns out that they are almost definitely used to calibrate China's spy satellites.

So says Jonathon Hill, a research technician and mission planner at the Mars Space Flight Facility at Arizona State University, which operates many of the cameras used during NASA's Mars missions. Hill works with images of the Martian surface taken by rovers and satellites, as well as data from Earth-orbiting NASA instruments.
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Offline Libertas

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Re: Mysterious ChiCom Pics
« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2011, 07:28:57 AM »
Hey, whaddaya know, I got one right!   ::whoohoo::

 ;D

I like this quote -

"The calibration targets are larger than might have been expected, he said, suggesting that the satellite cameras they are being used to calibrate have surprisingly poor ground resolution."

Bwuuuuhaahaaaa!  ChiCom's resolution is suckie suckie! 

Damn, bet I know what they're gonna try to swipe from us...or extort out of Stymie!    ::facepalm::

And the circular image I thought was a test site...is a radar test site...

"Another strange image taken not far away shows a Stonehenge-like arrangement of objects radiating outward, with fighter jets parked at its center. 'This is almost certainly a calibration/test target for orbital radar instruments,' Hill said. 'Since a significant amount of radar return is due to differences in surface roughness, they're probably testing ways of making the areas around planes 'bumpy' enough that the planes are partially masked.' "

And the rest of the mystery pics -

Since the initial reports of these structures became widespread, industrious readers of the gadget blog Gizmodo have spotted a few more interesting structures in China. One, Hill said, appears to be a weapons testing zone, perhaps for evaluating explosives. Elsewhere, a giant grid resembles a Yagi antenna array. Instruments like this can be used for any number of things, such as weather tracking, space weather tracking and high-altitude atmospheric research.

Hill noted that most of these structures are quite closer to each other. "I think we're seeing some sort of military zone/test range, which explains the large amount of equipment and technology in an otherwise remote area," he said. "Sometimes the truth can be just as interesting, if not more so, than the conspiracies that people come up with."


Mysteries solved, good find BMG!   ::thumbsup::
We are now where The Founders were when they faced despotism.