This is an interesting qmantoo, I have seen a certain type of spider travel with the wind using thread that acts as a wing, these spiders have been found in over a thousand feet with use of insect filters (aircraft). The fibers they use are 30 to 40 cm . long. Seeds could use this technology to fly long distances. But why are these threads so straight no slack, maybe because there is no wind at the moment.
Is this: larvae, seeds or insects that binds itself to the tire?
I too have seen these in other images and when I notice them again I will post more. They do often end with 'blobs' and I seem to remember these blobs are coloured on some photos.
As to why they are parallel, I dont know. As rdunk says, they are not scratches on the film but why should they be parallel - unless they are blowing in the wind perhaps? If they are attached to these 'blobs' then they could be.
What else would cause this feature on the image. Are they on images from other cameras on the Curiosity? (are they really there or are they a problem with that camera's internals?)
On the Moon there are areas which look a lot like spider web or slug slime. White areas which look unlike the surrounding terrain. So maybe there are similar beings there too?
Now you have drawn my attention, to this, I will keep an eye out for similar instances. Thanks.
I agree that stones should get stuck in these holes - Whatever material the wheeels are made from, there will always be a case of a stone being pointed and point going through one of the holes in the tyres and the stone getting wedged in the tyre holes.
The threads seem to have binding that's why I think this could be something biological. In fact, I do not believe in coincidences, because it is a process behind every phenomenon even advanced random number progression. The fact that all threads have the exact same angle is very interesting.
Iceman, how can anyone know for sure. I see three of the threads, and the three do seem to run maybe perfectly parallel. One of them seems to stop at a a spot on the hub, and the other two continue on up. I am simply going to make a "guess" that these white lines are somehow imperfections in the photo. If this was a print, we could just say "well, someone scratched the pic". But, this are digital photos, so, I don't know what type of photo imperfection (if any) could cause these "white lines".
Yes, they do have the appearance of spider filaments, but two of them just seem to run on up in the pic, on above the edge of the wheel.
After viewing this design of the tires, we're waiting for stones to get stuck in the openings of the tires, then we need to use a screwdriver to get them out. There is no doubt that it vill happens, just a matter of time. Who will solve the problem?.. I do not know.