AlexPGP's Corner

Over the past few years, it seems there have been a number of discoveries made in astronomy that should have had a greater impact on humanity's view of the universe than they appear to have had. I'm specifically thinking of the discovery of the first planet to revolve around a star other than Sol, and more recently, of extrastellar planets that show signs of water.

Maybe our sense of wonder has been deadened by our decades-long romance with science fiction. One way to find out, I suppose, would be to hit a library and see what kind of ruckus - if any - occurred on the occasion of the discovery of Pluto back just 78 years ago.

In any event, news keeps coming out that point in the general direction of there once having been water and life on Mars. Water was confirmed just a few days ago by data from the Phoenix lander. Then yesterday, I saw this:

"The White House has been alerted by NASA about plans to make an announcement soon on major new Phoenix lander discoveries concerning the "potential for life" on Mars, scientists tell Aviation Week & Space Technology.

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.

The data are much more complex than results related NASA's July 31 announcement that Phoenix has confirmed the presence of water ice at the site."

I'm guessing the news will be something along the lines of the soil on Mars being physically and chemically well-suited for growth of terrestrial plants.

Your guess?

Cheers...