Area 51 Weirdness

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

I've seen those irrigation systems before, but that seems like an awfully big circle for it to cover. Do they have ones that can sweep a half-mile circle?

Yes, easily a half mile and more. For a half mile, you only need a quarter mile of irrigation system, since it's sweeping around a fixed point. I've seen them bigger than that.

That seems like a really bizarre place to grow crops. It's pretty inhospitable terrain. When you drive around that valley you see some scrubby bushes and that's about it. It would be like landing on the surface of the moon and saying "Let's grow us some corn."

Have you ever been to Las Vegas? Phoenix, Arizona? There's a lot of grass growing there, and it's not there because it grows there naturally. People move to an area, and the first thing they do is see what they can grow there. Got big, open areas without much there? Why not plant fields? The technology exists to cultivate it, so do it! I'm not advocating this method of farming. In fact, I'm strongly opposed to screwing with an ecosystem for peoples comfort, but it happens.

 

[The_Universe]

Yeah - I've seen irrigation pipes at home in South Dakota over a 1/4 mile in length...although square plots of lands are definitely still the norm. However, if you'r ein a place like NV where the soil is probably not terribly fertile naturally, you'd have to make the field fit the irrigation, as opposed to more traditional midwestern techniques.

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

Update: Planning a trip to Vegas next month, and we'll definitely be swinging over to Rachel to get a look at this, along with the requisite field trip to the Little Ale'inn.

Anyone notice the landing strip right next to the circular array? Check the Topo Map if you don't see it. What's all this then?

I'm bringing the videocamera with me this time and I'm gonna find out what those things are. I swear if it's crops I'll eat my hat

 

[Umbran]

I'm bringing the videocamera with me this time and I'm gonna find out what those things are. I swear if it's crops I'll eat my hat

Well, note that it'll be February. Depending on what they're growing, it may or may not be growing season for it there.

 

[Algolei]

Yup, those are irrigation circles.

Trust us.

 

[Krieg]

I'm bringing the videocamera with me this time and I'm gonna find out what those things are. I swear if it's crops I'll eat my hat

We fully expect you to use said videocamera to provide evidence of your promised meal.

Sorry to disapoint the conspiracy minded but their is no doubt they are irrigation circles.

Keyhole has them in glorious color if you would like to check it out.