And then they discovered petroleum, and within 200 years obliterated their environment and went extinct. posted by five fresh fish at 7:55 PM on June 26, 2010 [5 favorites]
I've had conversations with my mom about this and she's told me that water will "never" be found on Mars, or, if it is found, it will have been "faked" because scientists hate God and besides, the whole universe was created 6000 years ago. What is wisdom to man is foolishness to God, etc.
The other day she called me and asked if it was possible to send pictures over "the email" and, if it was, could I help her do it over the phone or should she call Geek Squad and have someone come out to the house. posted by Avenger at 8:08 PM on June 26, 2010 [16 favorites]
GIS for mars with water turns up some cool results.
I guess it was the right journalist, too. posted by cthuljew at 8:47 PM on June 26, 2010
Avenger, how did you even make it out of infancy?
This is in serious competition with an ex's friend who let it her three year old roam free, as 'Paedophiles only go after little girls.'
She, an American, also asked me, a Briton, whether we 'Have electricity, or what?' over here.
Finally, to get back on topic, McDonald's are apparently making Mars milkshakes now. posted by Quantum's Deadly Fist at 8:51 PM on June 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
John Carter, of the University of Paris, led the team of France- and US-based scientists.
Sheesh, talk about an appropriate name (I think there is an appropriate name for having an appropriate name but forget what it is). posted by stbalbach at 8:53 PM on June 26, 2010
oops sorry alms and zarq. posted by stbalbach at 8:56 PM on June 26, 2010
All the more reason to get our asses there, if just to shut up the conjoined psychic wiseman who refuses to stay in my belly and keeps going in about prophesy and some damn 'reactor'. posted by chambers at 9:26 PM on June 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
I shall sit and ponder this news until I grok its fullness. posted by Rhomboid at 11:37 PM on June 26, 2010 [5 favorites]
Mars. Do they have McDonald's, or what, over there. posted by telstar at 12:08 AM on June 27, 2010
Nominative Determinism, stbalbach. posted by salmacis at 4:40 AM on June 27, 2010
This article from the ESA does a somewhat better job than the BBC article of presenting the findings in context, while still being accessible to the layperson (like me). Still, the BBC article is some of the least awful science reporting I have ever seen from the BBC.
Also: a Google Scholar search on the keywords "John Carter", "water", and "mars" does eventually find this stuff, but not without some really hilarious noise in the search results. posted by moss at 8:49 AM on June 27, 2010
posted by alms at 7:29 PM on June 26, 2010 [1 favorite]