Letters from the June 19, 2004, issue of Science News
By Science News
Scan or scam?
Using laser technology that has an apparent resolution of only about half a centimeter is somewhat laughable (“Laser scanners map rock art,” SN: 4/3/04, p. 222: Laser scanners map rock art). I also wondered whether the “fresh coat of desert varnish” was an April fool joke. Actually, I really look forward to every new issue. You do a great job.
Fred Dombrose
Charlotte, N.C.
For images that weren’t three-dimensional, the equipment produced detailed, 1-megapixel images, on par with many digital cameras. The “fresh” coat of desert varnish was several thousand years’ of minerals deposited by the desert itself.—S. Perkins