The White House is Briefed: Phoenix About to Announce "Potential For Life" on Mars
Written by Ian O'Neill
The surface zones where samples have been excavated by Phoenix (NASA)
It would appear that the US President has been briefed by Phoenix scientists about the discovery of something more "provocative" than the discovery of water existing on the Martian surface. This news comes just as the Thermal and Evolved Gas Analyzer (TEGA) confirmed experimental evidence for the existence of water in the Mars regolith on Thursday. Whilst NASA scientists are not claiming that life once existed on the Red Planet's surface, new data appears to indicate the "potential for life" more conclusively than the TEGA water results. Apparently these new results are being kept under wraps until further, more detailed analysis can be carried out, but we are assured that this announcement will be huge…
So why is there all this secrecy? According to scientists in communication with Aviation Week & Space Technology, the next big discovery will need to be mulled over for a while before it is announced to the world. In fact, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory science team for the MECA wet-chemistry instrument that made these undisclosed findings were kept out of the July 31st news conference (confirming water) so additional analysis could be carried out, avoiding any questions that may have revealed their preliminary results. They have also made the decision to discuss the results with the Bush Administration's Presidential Science Advisor's office before a press conference between mid-August and early September.
Although good news, Thursday's announcement of the discovery of water on Mars comes as no surprise to mission scientists and some are amused by the media's reaction to the TEGA results. "They have discovered water on Mars for the third or fourth time," one senior Mars scientist joked. These new MECA results are, according to the Phoenix team, a little more complex than the water "discovery." Scientists are keen to point out however, that this secretive news will in no way indicate the existence of life (past or present) on Mars; Phoenix simply is not equipped make this discovery. What it can do is test the Mars soil for compounds suitable to support life. The MECA instrument does have microscopes capable of resolving bacterial-scale life forms however, but this is not the focus of the forthcoming announcement, sources say.
This new MECA discovery, combined with TEGA data will probably expose something more compelling, completing another piece of the puzzle in the search for the correct conditions for life as we know it to survive on Mars. Critical to this search is to understand how the recently confirmed water and Mars regolith behave together under the Phoenix lander in the cold Martian arctic.
The MECA instrument had already made the landmark discovery that Mars "soil" was much like the soil more familiar on Earth. This finding prompted scientists to indicate that the minerals and pH levels in the regolith could support some terrestrial plants, indicating this would be useful for future Mars settlers.
What with the discovery of water, and the discovery that Mars soil is very much like the stuff we find on Earth, it is hard to guess as to what the MECA's second soil test has discovered. What ever it is, it sounds pretty significant, especially as NASA and the University of Arizona are taking extraordinary steps to avoid any more details being leaked to the outside world. I just hope were not getting excited over something benign…
So what will this compelling discovery be? Leave your guess below…
Source: Aviation Week
Filed under: Mars
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:21 am
Everyone needs to just chill out and maintain low expectations until it comes out - then there will be no disappointment if it turns out to be a little more mundane than some seem to anticipate… Of course it could be more major, which would be great!
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:35 am
Looking forward to this announcement!
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:41 am
Why not high expectations? Perhaps they found a dead mouse.
Seriously, it's a strange story.
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:42 am
THERE'S OIL ON THET THAR RED PLANET!
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:52 am
Maybe he's going to announce the "War on Mars" is over;)
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:54 am
Nah. Just that WE were from Mars.
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:26 am
i cannot help but get the sense some big shifts are currently underway, something big happening… mainly why does the vatican feel it has to tell its followers believeing in aliens doesnt contradict their faith? future insurance perhaps? dont wanna get caught with their pants down?
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:52 am
maybe it's something organic.
Not living organisms, but maybe something that can only have come from a some form of life.
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:56 am
@Ben Seymour
*Vatican* didn't announce anything about aliens, it's not their jurisdiction, so to speak. The question was asked in an interview with the manager of the Vatican Observatory a few months ago to which he replied, basically, that *he* doesn't see any contradiction there. The question pops up every once in a while and the answer is always the same but the Vatican has no official position on this matter. It's up to the faithful to make up there own minds.
As to the impending announcement, it is in my opinion most likely that they found some interesting minerals, like say nitrogen bearing compounds and other stuff that are useful for growing plants. But like with everybody here, it's just a guess. Not even an educated one.
/Adam
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:54 am
Reading the first paragraph through RSS feed, I got the impression Ian was pulling another one of the conspiracy debunking post like the 2012 or asteroid stories posted this past month.or so
However I'm not holding my breath and keep my expectations low not to be disappointed, like the media hyped supernova announcement back in May, so I'll go with Adam on the minerals/indicators. I doubt they took a picture of a Jack rabbit running circles around Phoenix :o)
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:56 am
The president should consider preempitve nuclear strike against martian microbes before they become inteligent and later develop nuclear capabilities themselves…
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:30 am
The cartoonists are going to have a field day with this.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:00 am
Attention, site owner…
You might want to remove your sitemeter code - it's causing your page to fail when loading in IE7.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:19 am
If the rumor is true that the White House has been briefed first, then this is what will happen:
It will be a major scientific announcement that will be hailed as a significant discovery by the scientific and reality based community, but the Hoaglands and Sitchins of this world (and their acolytes who read this blog) will poo-poo the announcement as a something "we knew already" and continue to accuse NASA of covering up the real truth about Mars.
That will be a shame since they will be unable to share in the joy of the scientists who have worked so hard and for so long to get to the point where such discoveries can be made.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:23 am
Well, I think you are blowing this thing totally out of proportion, Ian. In all likelyhood, the White House was briefed simply to try to explain them what's that new substance that was discovered on Mars, that - howzitcal'd? - "water".
Re: the "vatican" slope. Well, if god created the Earth, as the guys in dresses say, then he is, by definition, an alien. So what's new?
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:03 am
Maybe its a snickers wrapper… or nematodes!
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:12 am
It makes me a little concerned that they are discussing it with the Bush "Science" people before the announcement. The Bush administration has twisted science information before.
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:14 am
Congrats - your article is #1 on reddit's space section. Anyone got more on this story?
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:25 am
It's great that these robotic probes allow us to get science news from the robot's mouth so quickly - I suppose the normal process of research, article, find publisher, publish[, get flamed] would be incredibly tedious with the amount of new information coming from these probes. Who wants to write articles when you have this cool toy to play with
Still, I have to wonder at what could be so 'big' that it requires the white-house to be briefed. Were they briefed before the water was revealed?
I have several hypothetical cases forming in my mind, things like seismic activity, discovery of an organic or other interesting compound in ice (perhaps oxygen, or something like sulphur dioxide which could be a hint at microbial life)?
I'm sure we all await with bated breath.
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:08 am
Now how did Saddam hide his WMDs all the way up there?
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:13 am
Press Conference Begins
"Yeah, so we were digging around in the dirt on Mars looking for water and, um, we dug up a couple worms."
"Worms? You called a press conference because you dug up a worm?"
"Sweety, these are worms living on Mars. We just discovered life on another planet in our solar system. All your bases are belong to us, that sort of thing."
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:22 am
Why bother telling the "Bush Administration" First? Tell the People we're the ones FUNDING the operation, it's our damned Probe, not the Bush Administrations.
It's a load of Crap, if we Want to Know and it's something that is likely to have an effect on our lives in some way, I sure as Hell don't want it to be filtered through a regime of people who appear to have some questionable motivations in an election year anyhow.
Sorry to sound Cynical, but I doubt an evangelical redneck recovering from a cocaine addiction honestly gives a rat's ass about science, except to find a way to exploit it for his own gain.
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:24 am
Maybe the bacteria contamination brought in on the lander is growing better than anticipated
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:31 am
Well maybe this time when the Vatican is caught with their pants down, they can make sure that no alter boys present.
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:33 am
C'mon, this is sooo easy:
Up from the ground came a bublin' crude!
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:34 am
Oops, Kevin F. beat me to it. Sorry Kevin :-/
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:40 am
Attention JLawson: stop using a buggy browser.
The thing I like about all of this is that we have known about the soil being the same as earth's for a long time, we just kept it under wraps.
I imagine we found bacteria, or evidence thereof. (Though I would love it if NASA were to come out about ETI)
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:44 am
Maybe it's bad news. Maybe the natural environment of Mars is toxic to humans.
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:46 am
The missing WMDs.
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:50 am
I'm with Jim and SilverThread on this one… What possible reason would we entrust any important discovery to Bush's "Science" people? He has likely done more to purposefully ignore and suppress science than any president in modern times.
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:54 am
"So why is there all this secrecy? According to scientists in communication with Aviation Week & Space Technology, the next big discovery will need to be mulled over for a while before it is announced to the world."
How does that make any sense? The "world" has no right to know, but George Bush does? That and the whole second paragraph of this article should make anybody uncomfortable about this.
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:58 am
Silver hit the nail right on the head. Since when did scientific discovery and innovation fall under the control of a fascist Nazi dictator?(Google Prescott Bush) The information should have been fully disclosed and published for the public just like any other scientific piece.
Why does nobody see a problem with an international war criminal known for telling lies and fabricating stories being involved in ANY process of releasing information? That is like giving a kilo of cocaine to a hardcore cocaine addict and asking them to hold on to it for you; then expecting a solid kilo back a month later.
The real issue is not what crafted lies the public and scientific community will be fed when they figure out the best way to tell it other than say it was Tenet's fault. Rather, it is the fact that precedence has been set to start filtering discoveries and outright neutering of science and discoveries through a far too powerful central government.
Stop being push over weakling Americans that bend over and spread your cheeks for your masters. A powerful central government is your enemy as it was the Founding Fathers; learn your history before it becomes censored.
My guess on what the announcement will be? The excrement of a male bovine.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:02 am
Der. Phoenix captured Bin Laden. No wonder he couldn't be found in Afghanistan or Pakistan.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:02 am
Mars needs women!
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:08 am
only a few things come to mind.
1.The total amount of ice is much more that we thought and easy to get to
2. that there is suggestion that there is microbal life frozen in the ice
3. Mars is still alive and drives some hotspring that does not melt surface ice
4.yeti tracks, Jimmy Hoffa and Nessie all caught on camera at tea time.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:12 am
They discovered bigfoot.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:14 am
Either a 10% discount coupon at Marvin the Martians gas'n'go with a chance to win a weeks(Martian) stay on planet X for three OR they've just scraped the top of an impenetrable monolith just under the ice.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:15 am
History of a failed civilization which made drugs illegal and since the people couldn't smoke marijuana legally, they died of agony due to unhappiness and loss of freedom.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:16 am
They will discover that the lunar landing was actually filmed on Mars. Filling a new generation of conspiracy theorists with the paranoiac's equivalent of glee.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:20 am
Maybe they found Jimmy Hoffa's Body
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:23 am
Note to self - Refresh the page before adding a comment =\ Beat me by 12 minutes.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:24 am
Well.. i guess there is a small bit of hope that someone leaks it
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:25 am
I think the discovery is that they discovered WMD and we must invade.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:25 am
They found Jimmy Hoffa…
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:27 am
They found out that Phoenix arrived at the wrong destination… in fact was taking samples from Siberian soil which by coincidence it's Rusia's teritory… so that's trespassing and explains why Bush should be informed first.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:28 am
Klaatu barada nikto
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:29 am
maybe they found a fossil
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:30 am
Or, I got a really good one: they caught in one of the photos a small object which magnified by few times over showed… the China's flag.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:33 am
maybe something shiny or a tiny meteor or a type of gem
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:36 am
The discovered Pepsi in the TEGA analysis, wich may have polluted the detection of water announced earlier… May, as there is not conclusive proof that Pepsi actually contains water…
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:44 am
"Hello Mr. Bush, f**k the Life on Mars project, we found huge 2000 karat diamonds. That will solve Nasa funding for the next 4 bilion years. What do you think, a Mars manned mission every two years, 400kilos each time… we make it 50-50…does it sound this right?"
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:45 am
For many, a few cells in the womb does not constitute "life". I can't wait to hear the rational from the scientific community for "life" when a few dead cells are discovered in the Martian dirt.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:54 am
Jimmy Hoffa? Is that you?
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:54 am
Oops, Kevin F. beat me to it. Sorry Kevin :-/
Great minds think alike.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:57 am
A recent copy of 'Todays Martian Scientist' speculating on the probability of life elsewhere in the solar sytem just blew up and stuck on Phoenix' cameras.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:58 am
I can see them starting this discussion this way:
"OK, Mr. President,
This red ball is a planet called Mars?
Do yo know what a planet is?"
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:04 am
Satan put up a huge Halloween party and earth wasn't invited?
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:06 am
JLawson:
Here's your fix: http://www.mozilla.com
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:14 am
Nah, you guys are silly,
they found an ozone hole, that's causing global warming. And that is causing acid rain which is hurting the newly found bacteria.
So please send your money today to
crackpotscience@dorkville.com and we can help prevent the bacteria from being harmed by our human interaction with their planet.
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:17 am
They finally found Osama Bin Hiding, and he's on MARS!!
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:17 am
The tip of an ancient missile poking out of the soil…
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:20 am
In my opinion the most important ingredients still not accounted for are (the right) aminoacids, the building blocks for RNA.
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:22 am
They found the holy grail using Martian pop rocks.
They claim the place is nothing but pop rocks.
Some claim there is a magical variety of martian pop rocks.. We can only wonder if the type used was of the magical or just common pop rocks. If you can call martian pop rocks common I sure can't.
How did the Holy Grail get to mars? Bush has confiscated the grail and hinted he may offer it up on ebay .
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:22 am
I like the idea, previously mentioned, of a monolith with a very special ratio.
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:25 am
Did anyone actually look at the photo?
Is it just me, or are there far too many perfect lines in the rocks and formations just north of the rover?
In fact, it almost looks like it's sitting on a larger disc of some sort, which clearly appears to be buried.
Thoughts?
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:27 am
It's so obvious folks… they found *OIL* under the ice… which, btw, also obviously means there was life there many zillions of years ago, if anyone cares.
Seriously, I bet it's hydro carbons of some sort.
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:30 am
think:
Not everyone wants to use firefox, he's just saying it doesn't work with IE and recommending a fix.
(obligitory 'opera's better' comment)
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:31 am
They found marijuana crossed with kudzu and now cannabis will grow everywhere! Visit mpp.org and read about the new bill which will end federal persecution of small amounts of individual marijuana, nation wide!
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:37 am
The Missing White House E-Mails.
—
in soviet Russa findings discover you
—
The very first post.
—
I personally welcome our new Mars findings overloards
—
all your findings are belong to mars
—
cowboyneals DNA
—
Ok mom I'll up from the basement and take my medication now…
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:40 am
I think YOGIH is probably closest, satire aside. Most likely, they found something - maybe a silicate compound or something, that people back home might consider valuable and they want to break the news carefully worrying about some kind of "california gold rush" to mars where a lot of unprepared, unsafe commercial missions (which seems to be all the craze these days..) get a lot of people killed…
August 2nd, 2008 at 11:18 am
I would guess that they have found chlorophyll or its components.
August 2nd, 2008 at 11:26 am
Slime mold! Whoopee! let's party. Send in the space cowboys.
August 2nd, 2008 at 11:36 am
They found replicators….
August 2nd, 2008 at 11:51 am
Half of CHAIRFACE's name etched in laser
August 2nd, 2008 at 11:56 am
Just another story relating to the speculations of the irresponsible tabloid American media - doing anything to gain some notoriety or some pre-emptive fame.
i always thought the media should be presenting the news and not being the story itself - especially science media. Any scientist should always present the facts to draw conclusions, and announce the outcome if necessary. Wanting to forewarn of scientific breakthroughs gives science just a bad name - the same as the astrologers, faith healers, the charlatans, and the self=professed prophets. You might as well be reading chicken entrails and hiring a psychic to portent the future…
So please, if we must talk about scientific things, let's not talk of the mumbo-jumbo of the possible or the probable, but centre on the substantiated fact or observation.
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
the white house needs to be briefed on all of the potential dangers of DHMO.
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
they found a starbucks…soon to be closed.
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
They've germinated a terrestrial plant or bacteria
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Perhaps conditions that would permit cheap terraforming?
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:13 pm
It can't be anything other than the solution to pi.
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:15 pm
@ Tim Smith. As much as it goes against with my earth related beliefs, I DO hope they found some useful mineral. Something so valuable that it will super a 21 century gold rush. Be it mars is littered with diamonds or as someone else joked bleeds oil (which then confirms life).
The reason it goes against my earth beliefs is I am not a fan of huge corporations and the rape of earth resources. However a private company sponsored mars excavation would push the turtles pace of space development into over drive. It's what the world needs. Non bureaucratic mumbo jumbo mucking scientific progress.
Lastly in the 1849 gold rush was the reason for many lost live, in the name of progress. A space pioneer takes a risk, and doing so helps all mankind.
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I think bush is so stupid he doesn't know the different between the Moon and Mars. He probably thinks the moon is mars.
Thus the de-briefing:
"Ah, Mr President, we discovered water on mars."
"Hmmm, dats very inter-resting. How come they didn't find water during the Apollo missions?"
"Mr. President, the Apollo missions went to the Moon."
"The Moon! Damn, I thought that was Mars! Crap! I announced the wrong mission!"
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
HUH?? The series on the Discovery channel has already announced that the soil on Mars is slightly alkaline and could possibly support plant life… So what is all this "mystery" about? Maybe the press/NASA should watch TV.. check out this site..
http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/faq.php
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
They found oil on Mars!! WOOT!!
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Attention IE 7 user, maybe you have a crappy browser.
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
OK, hopefully this will be it - organics or methane or maybe even a spore or an indicator of follilized life. I am so pumped I can't even remember the name of my book….
Well, whatever the name was, taking two months doesn't feel like an imminent discovery anyway…..it felt like two months in the dentists office.
Whatever it is, Congratulations, and continued Good Luck Phoenix!!!
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:34 pm
The Bush Administration, by following some sharp political logic, will announce Mars to be an American 'province' since we control most of the toys on Mars. Hence, due to the fact that it is a 'Red Planet' the obvious outcome would be a vote in McCain's favor.
And besides, a Red Planet trumps a Red State any day…
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:38 pm
The press conference will reveal that OIL has been discovered. The next mission to Mars will have Exxon painted on the rocket.
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I love how the first thing these scientist experts do is to inform the president, probably the guy on planet earth who knows the least about Mars (or any other planet including this one).
What do they expect, a rational decision based on science? or rhetorical mumbo-jumbo of made-up words and pure emotion that ends up in a war against an ill-defined and/or nonexistent enemy..
I wonder if they briefed GWB using puppets so he'd understand.
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:47 pm
What did they find?
My guess: Jimmy Hoffa
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I can't understand this at all. We have data that needs more analysis. The data is not ready for peer review (you know, science) Well we better get the Prez on the phone then, this is big. The only case that makes sense is if they discovered something with possible military value and there is no doubt about the result. I vote yellow cake uranium.
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Weapons of Mass Destruction
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
They found a femur.
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Oxygen
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Joe and bush bashers,
You've got the wrong party when it comes to stupidity and science.
Check out Sheila Jackson Lee:
http://decision08.blogspot.com/2005/02/weekly-jackass-number-twelve-sheila.html
On a visit to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Lee, a member of the House Science Committee's space subcommittee, asked if the Mars Pathfinder had taken an image of the flag Neil Armstrong planted there in 1969!
Your hyperbole example of perceived stupidity of our republican president looks a bit moronic considering the reality of this democratic house representative.
Seriously, it astounds me that someone could be so ignorant (both her and you).
It scares me that you may be a voter… *sigh* we're doomed if everyone is this stupid.
Service guarantees citizenship!
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Mars has weapons of mass destruction and must be stopped.
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
3rd gen iphone?
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
It's probably something simple like:
They found money trees do exist and are growing on mars.
or the whole planet of Mars is made up of gold.
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I's say put the sarcasm away for a few days. Finding evidence of life on Mars is a discovery that will last the ages. We are fortunate enough to be alive to (perhaps) watch it happen. What would you want the future to read about this day? Would it be something trivial, or something deeper? To me, the chance to watch an historic discovery like this is the dream of a lifetime. It's truly a new age of life on Earth to realize that the entire Universe is not "ours" - and we'd better care for this Earth…"Our" only home.
Good Luck Phoenix!
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I'll bet it's where those WMD's are, proof we needed to invade two countries and occupy both of them because they couldn't possibly carry on without us.
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I'm getting concerned this is a hoax. Neither Phil Plait nor Emily Lakdawalla has picked up on this so far. It has not appeared in any mainstream news website, even Fox News, home of the Montauk Monster. I'm losing my mind chasing over the web for some confirmation.
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
they found bin laden. this is old news.
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:52 pm
It could be teleporter technology! We should send some marines though space to secure it with some scientists. What could possibly go wrong!
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:55 pm
@ Marbles: (you seem to have lost yours.)
This is simply about the non discloser of what should be public information. Not about how dumb a member of congress (very) is or idiotic the president is (extremely).
It's sad to think important NASA related information needs to be filtered through any president before released to the tax paying masses.
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
great, now they can send me to Mars to colonate a peaceful species.
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Ok… Multiple jokes already about oil, WMD's, bin laden..
It was funny the first time but quite posting them like your the first to think it up..
jeez
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
There are several reasons why the info is being kept under wraps:
* Believe it or not, it actually takes time to do science properly
* Whatever it is, it is certainly a first, so will grab people's attention (for 30 seconds away from Facebook)
* They don't want to announce something that is later discredited, so they're checking their results
* While they are checking their results they don't want another team to steal their thunder (since these days scientific funding depends on you getting results before your competition)
* They tell the White House early so they get the original science team gets the credit.
See, it's simple. No conspiracies needed, ok?
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Yay, they found life on Mars! Lets insult the president !
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
To Astrophysicist,
Your points make sense, and I certainly hope this is for real, but how did Aviation "Leak" and Space Technology get the scoop? Who blabbed?
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
“NASA has lost focus and is no longer associated with inspiration,” he said. “I don’t think our kids are watching the space shuttle launches. It used to be a remarkable thing. It doesn’t even pass for news anymore.”
Barack Obama interviewed by Cleveland’s WKYC-TV
Suck that, all you with Bush Derangement Syndrome…..
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Now, seriously, if they found ALL the necessary ingredients to support life, what's the best plant to start with at such low temperatures, maybe the arctic lichens? I heard that they release oxygen. Would be any good or this will disperse out of the atmosphere? "Lichens are virtually indestructible and grow in funky places. No place is too cold, to dry or too hot for Lichens to grow. They have even survived at minus 460 degrees F (-273 C) — absolute zero. Scientists use lichen to estimate when glaciers disappeared!! Lichens are colonizers, meaning they are always the first to move into new areas, and they do so fast"
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
God Speed Phoenix, cuz it's been a struggle, so many naybobs of negativism! …and God Bless our President, and I do mean DUBYA you commies. Cant you guys just lay off the rhetoric till after the elections and speak with your vote?
I'm speculating …perhaps "bacterial comtamination brought in on the lander" as per above, Joey… or…
I like the idea of frozen/inactive bacteria also… see Rea above.
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:23 pm
It would be fun if the announcement is that Phoenix detected * movement * in the soil that was not caused by wind.
Because if it moves, it lives.
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
My top 8 list of what Nasa could be discussing secretly with the president.
1: The vatican said what it said to condition people to believe that the alien on to be revealed IS their god and not Scientology's so as to keep getting donations for the catholic church.
2: maybe they found nuclear/radioactive material on mars.
3: maybe they found gold or something precious in abundance on mars.
4:maybe they found dna on mars
5: maybe they found foreign radio waves or something on mars
6. maybe they found they could boil an egg faster on mars.
7. maybe they found that they had accidentally germinated the soil with life from earth and now it is taking over the planet (the truth came out some time ago that NASA is unable to sterilize the spacecraft it is sending to other planets.
8. Tom Cruise looked into the lander's camera and said "I told you so!"
9. Nasa told Bush that his sanctuary to escape world justice has begun construction on Mars!
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Upon reflection, Phil and Emily, being scientists themselves, would go along with an embargo.
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:28 pm
People forget that the Viking landers from the 70's did $heated sophisticated soil analysis on mars and found results that didn't fit what the scientists were expecting.
Recently a scientist looked at those 1970's results /data again with what we know now about extreme types of life and determined the probability was that the Viking Landers discovered life on Mars way back in the 1970's.
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
@Marbles Says:
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Joe and bush bashers,
You've got the wrong party when it comes to stupidity and science.
On a visit to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Lee, a member of the House Science Committee's space subcommittee, asked if the Mars Pathfinder had taken an image of the flag Neil Armstrong planted there in 1969!
Your hyperbole example of perceived stupidity of our republican president looks a bit moronic considering the reality of this democratic house representative.
Seriously, it astounds me that someone could be so ignorant (both her and you).
It scares me that you may be a voter… *sigh* we're doomed if everyone is this stupid.
Service guarantees citizenship!
@Cowboy says
AND HE REALLY BELIEVES IT…
DILLUSIONAL!!!
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
You missed the obvious:
"It's full of stars!"
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:38 pm
May be the theory of some elements for life, but not life.
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
the statue of liberty buried in the sand…
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Astrophysicist Says:
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
There are several reasons why the info is being kept under wraps:
* Believe it or not, it actually takes time to do science properly
–Soooo send it to George Bush ?????
* Whatever it is, it is certainly a first, so will grab people's attention (for 30 seconds away from Facebook)
–Soooo make the public wait ?????
* They don't want to announce something that is later discredited, so they're checking their results
–Soooo send it to George Bush for him to verify it?????
* While they are checking their results they don't want another team to steal their thunder (since these days scientific funding depends on you getting results before your competition)
–And competition is bad for the scientific community ???
* They tell the White House early so they get the original science team gets the credit.
–Kind of like having Stevie Wonder to tell you your painting is the most beautiful. Great idea ???
See, it's simple. No conspiracies needed, ok?
Watch out for the conspirator Astrophysicist. He almost got me.
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:54 pm
That knows? There will be analyses on a trance uranium elements?
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I'll start by saying that I'm a huge opposer of the Bush Administration.
That out of the way, it's only natural that he would be one of the first people "briefed" on any significant discoveries. In layman's terms, its one of the quirks of being the "leader of the free [hahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahah........ hahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahha] world".
My opinion is that the best way to look at all of this is that if they had to "brief" good ol' Dubya on anything Mars based, then it's probably of some sort of significance.
Just saying.
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Carbon and oxygen are created in the cores of stars and spread when the stars go supernova. Hydrogen naturally occurs in space, being the lowest energy state of a simple combination of quarks and electrons. The solar wind is mostly protons,which are hydrogen atoms stripped of their single electrons.
Hydrocarbons are not a sign of the evolution of life, but rather a sign of the evolution of stars and the natural chemisty of carbon when combined with hydrogen, oxygen and energy.
The earth is full of various forms of hydrocarbons, including petroleum, but most of it came from the condensed remains of the supernovae that preceded our solar system.
Less than 1% of the hydrocarbons in the earth are a result of biological processes.
Coal, on the other hand, has been proven to have fossils embedded within it thus making it likely that at least some of it did come from ancient biological processes.
No one seriously credits all of the methane in the atmosphere of Jupiter with biological activity. The absorption spectra of methanol and other more complex hydrocarbons, including the amino acid glycine, have been observed in interstellar clouds. No one seriously credits biological activity with the presence of those interstellar hydrocarbons either.
It would be more surprising if they found no hydrocarbons on Mars.
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Seriously folks,
This is big stuff… as a clinical scientist, I am sooo focused on this. Basic chemistry is the same throughout the universe. Carbon, nitrogen, yada yada….
These JPL and Arizona folks has worked their ass offf, lost sleep, and done a wonderful job with our tax payer dollars. Why they have to brief Bush, I've no clue, but it certainly indicates the importance of this new data.
Don't think it's a Starbucks or oil or dead mouse.
My guess… evidence of dead microbial amino acid structures…
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:07 pm
the unpleasent truth:
the phoenix probe was eaten by a grue.
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I knew it ! All this years, it was so clear: Elvis is alive and living in Mars.
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Evidence of an intelligent life form
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Wow! We finally DO know the place from which G.W. Bush fell !!!
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Steve Fossett waving to us
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:32 pm
People! PLEASE!
This is OBVIOUS!
(Andre was closest.)
Its either Elvis,
A Wal-Mart,
or a 64 Volkswagen Bus,
complete with a copy of 'Ummagumma' by
Pink Floyd in the 8-track player.
Im pretty sure its gonna be one of those…..
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
5 mentions of Hoffa. Please stop, was not funny the first time.
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Now that my dominion has been discovered, you all must be abrogated!
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Según trascendidos los científicos de la misión Phoenix han informado a la Casa Blanca sobre el descubrimiento de algo más "provocativo" que el descubrimiento de agua en la superficie marciana. [...] Fuente: Ian O'Neill para Universe Today, y Aviation Week.
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
they found Elvis!
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I'm shocked. Shocked I say that no one has gotten it yet. It's quite obvious…
They've found Egyptian hieroglyphics.
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:44 pm
They Discovered an EULA, starting with "By scratching the surface of this planet you agree to transfer ownership of the souls of all liveforms on your home planet to…."
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:46 pm
could you have a few more fucking ads on your page?
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:50 pm
it's life, but not as we know it
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
No,
History can't record these comments to crystalize the reactions of mankind for all time. Now I'm really glad that I ran the contest on the "Imminent Discovery" blog site and collected many more thoughtful comments on the potential discovery of life on Mars. The level of thought going into most of the comments here is somewhat disheartening. Only a few are even witty.
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I guess, the president's briefing material will be available on wikileaks on Sunday morning. Secrecy is a lost cause in the net age!
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
a crashed alien ship!
or or..
transparent alien beings that are messing with the little robot. sending it transmissions!!
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Oil, WMDs, life, Jimmy Hoffa, Osama bin Laden, 2001 monolith, Elvis, worms, Statue of LIberty, gold, feces, Starbucks, iPhone — you threw out everything but what this crowd lives for — beer. I'm shocked!
I think they found a reason to go ask for more money.
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
HI universetoday guys, you have been invaded by reddit, slashdot and digg. It is all my fault and I am really really sorry.. flyspagmon@reddit..
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:30 pm
They observed the same bacteria like structures found in the Martian meteorite discovered in the antarctic. Thus, proving that they came from Mars. But still not proving that they were ever alive.
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
they defrosted a note;
"MARS NEEDS WOMEN"
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I have to agree, many of the comments on this article are virtually useless.
The article as posted here, and on aviation week ecplitily rules out evidence proving the existence of life past, or present.
The Aviation Week article states:
Sources say the new data do not indicate the discovery of existing or past life on Mars. Rather the data relate to habitability–the "potential" for Mars to support life–at the Phoenix arctic landing site, sources say.
Given that it was MECA that made the discovery, it's probably going to relate to trace elements, and possibly trace nutrients present in the ice itself, which explains why, as the article says, they want to make further analysis before they make an announcement.
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Seriously I think it means that they have determined that this is the spot for the first mars colonization. it has all th requirements to grow food and has water so if you basically put a dome on it to control temperature and atmosphere you can build a city. SO we skip going to the moon first and head to mars for the first colony.
Either that or they discovered Mars is simply the big round red head of RICK ASTLEY and we are all being RICK ROLLED!!!!
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Mr President?
Yeah - whaddup!?
We think we've found your brain…
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I am expecting an announcement from the Whitehouse shortly to the effect of "proof the the lord Jesus Christ is our saviour and commands the invasion of Iran".
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Addendum:
It has to be something to do with the composition of the ice, if you think about it, becaus ethey've already run MECA tests on the soil.
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
They found a note saying:
"Chuck Norris was here"
There's one on every planet…
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I DRINK YOUR MARS MILKSHAKE!
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:05 pm
It's a giant, petrified, martian dooky.
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Undisputable evidence of the presence of Tang! on Mars.
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Only one commentator got remotely close to the real reason our Present Occupant was informed before us. It's an issue of national security of course; they found the obelisk finally. It's only logical, things are in a mess and it's time for the "Star Child"!
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I secon jhoger's idea that terraforming may be feasible. Using bacteria to increase the atmospheric density and such.
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
What if it's an object?
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Hey Marbles,
you must be one of the 13 percenters that thinks bush is the best president we've ever had. LOL.
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Why would scientists consult with the criminal lowlifes that run the Whitehouse? Sorry, I'm not buying this story.
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
And Dubya gets to know first!? WTF
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
It's just me or that rock next to "Cupboard" line left a track???? Is it moving????
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Mr. President sir.. WE FOUND CANDY BARS!
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Whatever it is, I hope it is worth all the hype.
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:35 pm
People come on. It's a freaking Mars Bar with creamy filling.
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I think that this will probably be the end of us. We will find something like oil or livable conditions, and we will travel up their in 2012, or so, like planned and one of the astronauts will unknowingly bring back some microbes, that will wipe out the human population on earth in a pandemic. Also some sort of end is predicted by the Mayans in 2012. We're screwed.
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Obviously no intelligent life on this comment site!
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:46 pm
They found a note saying:
"To whom it may concern, we have quadrillions of barrels of carbon-free oil, trillions of tons of palladium, billions of tons of pure thorium, and more candy bars than you can shake a stick at. However we have no women, nor an ability to travel through space, nor transmit radio waves, although we can pick them up.
"Therefore we propose a trade. Send us the women of Baywatch, plus Britney, plus Paris Hilton, plus Miss December, plus the top 100 women of Maxim, plus Kucinich's wife. In return you can mine us to your hearts content. However don't try to cheat us or we'll use our friggin laser and blow Earth to bits.
"In short, Mars needs women."
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Amino acids, not quite life, but a precursor–makes sense–because the Bush croneys at NASA would never want the born-again Prez' followers to be shocked that conditions for life might exist elsewhere in the Universe. Will be interesting to follow.
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Mars? I thought it was Snickers Almond now…
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Soylent Green?
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:56 pm
More barely evolved monkeys that think they were made by a god?
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:04 pm
There is no speaking with your votes. Florida 2000 & Ohio 2004 where Republicans went out of their way to deny and deter black votes. Think that is a far out claim while your Republican mind struggles with the big words and fails at spelling? Look into the practices the Republican regime exercises in Georgia when they abuse a crossover rule in primaries to exclude the candidates wanted and who would win due to the amount of black voters supporting them (Who also want to know the truth and actually value freedom and liberty). Speak with your vote…ignorant uninformed simpleton. Your redneck corn fed white bread redneck hick dictator has done more to fuel fascism and communism in this country than has anybody else. Patriot Act and his spying and all his other destructions of freedom and liberty and privacy while overpowering a central government dominated by his illegal executive orders and terror police with their secret flights, kidnappings and tortures. It would make Stalin shed a tear of pride and envy and bring Mao in for lessons.
This is just one more step in that direction as science becomes filtered and controlled by them. That is the problem. This is not reviewing data and findings and this is not preventing theft of a discovery. Does your neighbor have a probe on Mars doing the exact same tests too? Open your eyes and think for yourself.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Ammonia is my best guess.
Although, if they find the giant pile of missing socks then I won't be disappointed.
I revel in the fact that even though the majority of our population is borderline dysfunctional, we still sent Phoenix to Mars.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Just one word: diatoms.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Everyone complaining about them consulting Bush… maybe its because he can get them money for further operations. Please complain about being a tax payer, because that means a lot. Youre one person, and cant do anything that would actually benefit Nasa most likely, but the President, who can spend billions upon billions of dollars can help Nasa if they manage to convince him. Plus the fact that secrecy is common in every government. Oh Im a tax payer I deserve to know whats going on with my money!!!!!!! Well too bad, there are tons of things you will never know what has happened or still is.
Being a nobody, got to love it huh?
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Very disappointing that the US Govt. must be briefed first. Just release the findings and let the world decide. Is there a real Area 51 ? Someone will leak it.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Soham,
Truth is, until Bush is out of the White House, there will be no integrity in US agency's announcements. NASA has been no different from the EPA. Total corruption for the last 8 years. Can't wait till 2009, but we're gonna be stuck for the clean-up costs of this administration for years. I've researched it. There's no way of stopping it through tax protests. Unfortunately, our only way is through congress.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Phoenix has found a complex material which, if found on Earth, would be said to have been made by an "advanced technological society."
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Well, take what we know as of now: They found ice, they found water, and some soil that is not unlike our own. Most likely, they found microbial life in either the soil when combined with our water that was on-board the S/C, or microbial life already present in the water. There you go guys. That is it. Call the press conference now.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:27 pm
"There's no way of stopping it through tax protests. Unfortunately, our only way is through congress."
Congress is just as bad as the President. Lets see, the democrats just walked out of Congress today I believe for summer break while the Republicans stayed and called for the Dems to stay and fix gas prices before the 5 week vacation. Well Dems dont care about gas prices…
Everyone will work towards their own motives. Every human being does. Noone is perfect and everyone looks out for their own interests. No matter if its the greatest idea ever, congress would probably end up split on the matter, or the President would veto it, or the President tries to do something then Congress vetos it. Just like the United Nations and Russia/China being able to veto anything we try to do there. Unless people are making money, they dont care about anything else.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:27 pm
"I revel in the fact that even though the majority of our population is borderline dysfunctional, we still sent Phoenix to Mars."
You impress easily. I'm waiting for when we send Mars to Phoenix.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Maybe they found Data's head.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Perhaps they found Weapons of Mass Destruction.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:33 pm
to piso mojado: they say it's not alive and diatoms are life… unless they're dead diatoms, lol.
I would also bet in the aminoacids, it would be a great breakthrough.
either that OR
a fossilized soviet from some early 60's secret mission (sorry, no one said this one before, lol)
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:34 pm
In 2009 the feds corruption will shift from a red phase to a blue phase. I don't expect any more of a clearing house than happened in the wake of Clinton or Carters departure.
That said, I suspect its a "chemical building blocks" discovery.
The detection of life or its precursors on another world would be a great but worrisome discovery. The obvious implication (which would not be lost on religious folks) is that we were not alone at some point in our prehistory.
The chances of life happening twice in any single system should be astronomically low. Any evidence that suggests otherwise also suggests that life may be alot more common in th universe than it seems.
This is certainly something to tell the president. Whether you like his party or not.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Not oil, maybe..but what about another energy source that was since unknown??
This is interesting….
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:45 pm
They found a coin.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:46 pm
They're taking the matter to the White house to answer one question:
"Now that there are no Soviet Commies any longer, whose face can we rub it in?"
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Hmmm… a really good pizza place that can make timely deliveries to Syrtis Major?
A Martian gas/service station that specializes in repairing some of those problematic spacecraft/probes from Earth? (and knows the difference between the English and Metric systems of measurement…)
Finding out that Arthur C. Clarke's "Banyon trees" really are living trees and not just the results of soil temperature variations/freezing/thawing…
http://www.marsunearthed.com/SelectedImages/ACClarkeTrees/ACClarkeTrees.htm
Native, vastly more intelligent life that has been on Mars for millions of years creating one of the most beautiful and peaceful civilizations in this portion of the Galaxy - that is, until… unfortunately… we recently destroyed all of them with a Human plague similar to Small Pox.
Nucleic acids or even just a few Amino Acids? Whole strands of DNA, RNA, or, ??? Maybe, even a few new, previously unknown types of base pairs (who says life has to be limited to TAGCU…)
Okay, I give up, must be some of those water-filled, planet-wide, irrigation canals, enormous pyramids, vast cities of crystal & stone, faces carved into the rocky surface, etc. I just knew Hogland was right and that there was a massive cover up of the "real truth"…
[Extremely large dose of sarcasm inserted here: X ] 
BTW, Clarke maintained until his dying day that the Bush admin already knew that Mars contained life, but was afraid to announce it for many reasons. Go figure. I just hope that the "trees" are real as they seemed pretty amazing in Marsden's pictures of the Martian surface.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:51 pm
They found a decepticon!
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:54 pm
The big announcement is that the Mars lander will plant some Arctic type algae in the water/soil with the hope that the growth will eventually change the atmosphere to enable human survival. If the algae successfully propagates and spreads, it will change the albedo of the planet, the ground will warm and the atmosphere will have a small increase in oxygen. Eventually we can send plants to grow. It's like a very large, but official, grow-op. Cheers
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Coal
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:56 pm
They uncovered an extraterrestrial secret.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Soham,
Actually, the Demovrats adjourned congress today and the Republicans had some antics, with the cameras turned off that made some news–beside the point. But, I don't disagree with your basic premise. There should be a way to protest, politically, by refusing to pay our taxes (I think that's what you're saying), but there isn't. Trouble awaits all non-payers of taxes, even if it is a really legitimate protest vote. IRS can do really bad things, so we can't even think of that. What we need to do is really pressure our congress people, vote them out of office if they don't share our views and NEVER, EVER, EVER VOTE REPUBLICAN, AGAIN.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:58 pm
No one here can handle the truth anyway!
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:03 pm
They found Waldo! Or perhaps they found out that they should have sent a poet. Or they found a stargate to go with their first one! OR they might have found inner peace. But at this point it's all speculation of course. Oh oh, the other half of that Mars rock we have! Or they found those guys from that Halebop-sect! Which is now headed by Major Tom! No no no, I've got it now- they found the Higgs particle! Or maybeee.. If you look a bit philosophically at it.. They might have found the MOON! Ok, no not the moon. That would be weird. Ok, so maybe it's not that complicated, perhaps they just found out that their wives have been cheating on them all along. Oh, I've got it now.. A big sign saying "NO FAT CHICKS!" And what about that "MECA"-device, eh? In case they find life and it turns out to be Godzilla? Or they have to report that one of the Phoenix crew members have met with an unfortunate accident and now has a crayfish-like thingy stuck to his helmet and someone was stupid enough to let him slip by the quarantine airlock procedure. Like, sheesh, what happened to all that post 9/11 security, huh? But how about thinking outside the box for a moment, what if they discovered FIRE? Huh? Fire? Aaaaaw yeah! Or they might just have found one or more of the following: Jimmy Hoffa, WMD's, Oil, Enron files, Any Excuse To Invade Iran, Stolen Election Votes, and/or (but not including) United Airlines Flight 93. I'd like to add Raptor Jesus here too. And the Nonflying Spaghetti Monster. "Sir, we have discovered the meaning of life on Mars. It's to invade other countries and rob them blind. Keep up the good work, sir!" Or they found Colonel Kurtz and decided it's time to go home. No no no! They found Mudkipz! And apparently, the Martians love them! Or, keeping up with the times, they simply found the Batcave.
Just my two cents worth, I'm gonnagonow.
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Almost 200 comments on this story and only a handful thoughtful or witty. Hopefully the microbes we're finding on Mars aren't more intilligent than us - or they'll be a giant lander on earth cooking us next time to see if there is organic chemistry here.
How about nitrogen "fixed" in the soil? Would that suggest plant life?
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:09 pm
well i guess a big congradulations is in order to everyone on planet earth -
IT IS NOW AN OFFICIAL FACT THERE IS WATER ON PLANET MARS….
no more theories - finally FACT
the question is what could be a more "provocative" find than water??????
1) moving ocean under the frozen ice?
2) traces of bacteria /life forms
3) present life including bacteria, potential creaures in the sea
4) evidence of traces of oxygen or other gases needed to create life
5) artefacts from ancient times.
ps. mars was built roughly the same time as the planet earth and more likely of the same materials. which means most natural resources found on earth will most likely exist on mars……ie. diamonds..gold..
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:10 pm
@TD
No!
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Come on guys. It's about the potential to support life - like others have said. All we have to get up there and we can live there. That is very good news.
I for one can't wait to have a drink in Rock Hudson's 'special' space bar.
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:13 pm
They found something that wasn't really lost.
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Link to the websit to see the what they are NOT telling you about MARs!!!!
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Here is the secret:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/Mehaha/el_mars_-_3.jpg
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
The fact they went to Bush administration first probably has to do with Protocols that have been in place in NASA for years.
There are probably certain NASA protocols that require certain discoveries made by NASA to be taken to the Presidential Science Teams.
Most like it's nothing that is just real big that it has to be taken to the big man on capitol hill….. but more of a formaility that has to be done because it's in the books.
Unless it is something that can cause mass panic on Earth, of which I doubt, the science board will probably just wave it on through and listen to the rest of the science discoveries they are required to listen to for the day.
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
They've found a Y chromosome.
Men really ARE from Mars!
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Black Gold!!!!
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Considering there are 12 suspected planetary bodies that contain water within our solar system => and ours is 1 of 400 billion within our galaxy => and our galaxy is a grain of sand in comparison to our universe.
Considering that life can grow thousands of meters below sea level in the deepest parts of our ocean => in pitch darkness => at negative degree temperatures => under numerous ton's of barometric force
Uh… we should have listened to those people we dragged away in straight jackets.
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Ancient evidence of nuclear war
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:44 pm
A politician skewing science fact? NEVER I SAY! (reference sarcasm in wikipedia).
Just look at ole' Al Gore and the rest of the people in DC. Telling us about global warming and apparently the way to solve it is by RAISING TAXES and NEW TAXES.
Give us money! and the world will be safe!!!
sounds a lot like Mafia Protection Money. Pay us and you won't be robbed.
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:49 pm
They found the Russians to have been faster again, because in Soviet Russia the Mars lands on YOU!
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Oh big deal, they found "sand". Big whoopie!