"I hope his wife is named Samantha."
June 26, 2010 7:25 PM Subscribe
The whole of Mars' surface was shaped by liquid water around four billion years ago, say scientists. Scientists with the best names possible for the job.
Spoiler in the tags for them as wants it.
Spoiler in the tags for them as wants it.
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 [4 favorites]
posted by five fresh fish at 7:55 PM on June 26, 2010 [4 favorites]
Starring Thomas Haden Church, Mark Strong, Lynn Collins, Taylor Kitsch, Bryan Cranston and Willem Dafoe.
posted by zarq at 8:01 PM on June 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by zarq at 8:01 PM on June 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
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 [15 favorites]
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 [15 favorites]
GIS for mars with water turns up some cool results.
I want to believe.
posted by digitalprimate at 8:15 PM on June 26, 2010
I want to believe.
posted by digitalprimate at 8:15 PM on June 26, 2010
Mars' entire surface was shaped by water
By Victoria Gill
posted by Threeway Handshake at 8:44 PM on June 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
By Victoria Gill
posted by Threeway Handshake at 8:44 PM on June 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
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]
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
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
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]
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]
posted by Rhomboid at 11:37 PM on June 26, 2010 [5 favorites]
The BBC article mentions a report in the latest issue of Science, which appears to be this: Detection of Hydrated Silicates in Crustal Outcrops in the Northern Plains of Mars.
Sadly, it's not available without a subscription, but some of the other research by the same people is online (beware, PDF links):
Phyllosilicates and Other Hydrated Minerals on Mars: 1. Globel Distribution As Seen By MEx/OMEGA
Phyllosilicates and Other Hydrated Minerals on Mars: 2. Detailed Analysis
Mineralogy of Layered Deposits in Terby Crater, N. Hellas Planitia
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
Sadly, it's not available without a subscription, but some of the other research by the same people is online (beware, PDF links):
Phyllosilicates and Other Hydrated Minerals on Mars: 1. Globel Distribution As Seen By MEx/OMEGA
Phyllosilicates and Other Hydrated Minerals on Mars: 2. Detailed Analysis
Mineralogy of Layered Deposits in Terby Crater, N. Hellas Planitia
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
No, an appropriate name would be Ares Aquator Marsophile.
posted by plinth at 8:46 AM on June 28, 2010
posted by plinth at 8:46 AM on June 28, 2010
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posted by alms at 7:29 PM on June 26, 2010 [1 favorite]