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#720
by
Robotbeat
on 20 Nov, 2012 13:21
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#721
by
robertross
on 20 Nov, 2012 13:56
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#722
by
kevin-rf
on 20 Nov, 2012 14:07
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So did they finally found Saddam's missing WMD or is it something more interesting like complex organics?
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#723
by
Ares67
on 20 Nov, 2012 15:12
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#724
by
Lumpy
on 20 Nov, 2012 15:32
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#725
by
butters
on 20 Nov, 2012 16:16
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I have a source at the American Museum of Natural History who says that their geology department is reviewing the data and that Neil deGrasse Tyson was "literally dancing in the hallways this morning".
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#726
by
Galactic Penguin SST
on 20 Nov, 2012 16:39
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I have a source at the American Museum of Natural History who says that their geology department is reviewing the data and that Neil deGrasse Tyson was "literally dancing in the hallways this morning".
Let me take a shot in guessing what it is....
1. Any type of sedimentary rocks
2. Some kind of organic material that was known to be purely biological origin
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#727
by
meekGee
on 20 Nov, 2012 16:45
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I wish it was the biology department and not the geology department...
My bet is also on geological evidence supporting past biology.
At this point, finding more evidence of water will be interesting, but pretty much expected.
heh, I like how the bar for excitement keeps rising....
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#728
by
Jeff Lerner
on 20 Nov, 2012 16:56
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....even better...the xenoarchaeology department...
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#729
by
Robotbeat
on 20 Nov, 2012 17:14
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....even better...the xenoarchaeology department...
+
1.
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#730
by
kevin-rf
on 20 Nov, 2012 17:19
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...Nah, xenoarchaeology department, arsenic first contact special team
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#731
by
Star One
on 20 Nov, 2012 17:46
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I for one welcome the benevolent rule of our ancient Martian overlords!
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#732
by
happyflower
on 20 Nov, 2012 17:59
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Since the information is coming from the SAM instrument and they just finished putting samples of Martian soil in there, the news is related to the soil in some way.
Since SAM is looking for organic compounds, I guess organic compounds probably carbon based have been spotted. Still no proof of life, but a smoking gun.
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#733
by
meekGee
on 20 Nov, 2012 18:05
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Seems too quick almost, from measurement to results to analysis to conclusion to review...
Do they publish a timeline of when they digest samples, and which instruments get a go at the samples?
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#734
by
Alpha_Centauri
on 20 Nov, 2012 18:09
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Well I have to say that Grotzinger didn't sound that excited. maybe just his style. The only direct quote about it is "This data is gonna be one for the history books", which could be anything. Given the "exciting" news release about methane, "sorry, it's not there", I wouldn't hold out hopes that it actually is something earth-shattering.
If I heard correctly the interview happened last week. We can be safe that it's nothing directly related to biology because realistically we'd all know by now, that's not something that could be kept secret.
I'd guess detection of simple organics.
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#735
by
Robotbeat
on 20 Nov, 2012 18:18
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Well I have to say that Grotzinger didn't sound that exited. maybe just his style. The only direct quote about it is "This data is gonna be one for the history books", which could be anything. Given the "exiting" news release about methane, "sorry, it's not there", I wouldn't hold out hopes that it actually is something earth-shattering.
If I heard correctly the interview happened last week. We can be safe that it's nothing directly related to biology because realistically we'd all know by now, that's not something that could be kept secret.
...
Apparently, it HASN'T been kept secret...
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#736
by
Alpha_Centauri
on 20 Nov, 2012 18:30
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Kept secret =/= no one knows, just that it's not been leaked to the public, which such news would be very quickly.
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#737
by
Star One
on 20 Nov, 2012 18:46
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Well any announcement that increases the interest in Mars exploration in the corridors of power and maybe its budget is to be welcomed in my book.
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#738
by
stone
on 20 Nov, 2012 19:23
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SAM has only digested dune sand, if they find any organic in that they will have a nice two years with a lot more organics.
I guess that the really story has to wait for the AGU in two weeks. There is a Curiosity special session.
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#739
by
Alpha_Centauri
on 20 Nov, 2012 19:24
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Apparently Grotzinger has told SPACE.com that "the news will come out at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union, which takes place Dec. 3-7 in San Francisco."
