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NASA May Have Killed The Martians

Posted by Zonk on from the that's-a-big-oopsie dept.

Sneakernets writes "CNN reports that NASA may have found life on Mars via the Viking space probes in 1976-77, but failed to recognize it and killed it by accident. Dirk Schulze-Makuch, a geology professor at Washington State University, says that Mars microbes that the space probes had found were possibly drowned and baked by accident. Other experts said the new concept is plausible, but more work is needed before they are convinced. From the article: 'A new NASA Mars mission called Phoenix is set for launch this summer, and one of the scientists involved said he is eager to test the new theory about life on Mars. However, scientists must come up with a way to do that using the mission's existing scientific instruments, said NASA astrobiologist and Phoenix co-investigator Chris McKay.'"

22 of 238 comments (clear)

  1. That would explain... by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 5, Funny

    That would explain why we haven't heard from K'breel or the Council of the Elders for a while :(

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
    1. Re:That would explain... by 7macaw · · Score: 3, Funny

      May be he's off inspecting the disgusting blue planet, preparing a surprise for the nasty water-breeds.

      --
      Grundes!
  2. Dilbert had a similar problem... by Dr.+Eggman · · Score: 4, Funny

    (To intelligent life under his microscope)

    We come in peace!

    *Adjusts lens to get a better view*

    *Squish*

    --
    Demented But Determined.
  3. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  4. I remember this by Marko+DeBeeste · · Score: 3, Funny

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Scarlet

    --
    Faith: n. -- That human impulse that drives them to steal appliances when the power goes out
  5. "We're here to bring democracy to...oops." by Eternal+Vigilance · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, at least we can learn from this sad lesson in our future missions to other sandy, desolate places. Right?

    Right?


    Lenny at NASA: "I used to have a little friend, but he don't move no more."

    1. Re:"We're here to bring democracy to...oops." by markana · · Score: 4, Funny

      Right - we've found an effective method of killing off the natives before we colonize the place.... :-)

  6. Well by jaymzru · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've seen "Mars Attacks!" Better them than us.

  7. Well, by ampathee · · Score: 5, Funny

    I for one, welcome our new Martian- oops.. Nevermind.

  8. Obligatory Star Wars Quote by bmo · · Score: 4, Funny

    "I feel a great disturbanc in the Force, as if billions of microbes cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced"

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    BMO

  9. Obligatory.... by Karl+Cocknozzle · · Score: 3, Funny

    "He's dead, Jim..."

    --
    Who did what now?
  10. Earth by reset_button · · Score: 4, Funny

    Mostly harmless

  11. No, I'm New Here by New+Here · · Score: 3, Funny

    No, I'm New Here

  12. Re:Marvin will get angry by Axe · · Score: 5, Funny
    ..not Martians - Sea-men

    Kyle: Wow! That's a lot of seamen, Cartman.
    Cartman: Yeah, I bought all that I could at this bank, and then I got the rest from this guy Ralph in an alley.
    Stan: That's cool.
    Cartman: Yeah, and the sweet thing is, the stupid asshole didn't even charge me money for it. He just made me close my eyes and suck on a hose.

    --
    <^>_<(ô ô)>_<^>
  13. Well, that explains it by djupedal · · Score: 4, Funny

    "..failed to recognize it and killed it by accident"

    I seem to recall Cheney using a similar excuse when he shotgunned a hunting partner in his ass...

  14. Dead Martians by the_mind_ · · Score: 3, Funny

    What did they expect when they named it "Viking"?

    --
    You feel sleepy. Close your eyes. The opinions stated above are yours. You cannot imagine why you ever felt otherwise.
  15. Re:Can't you read? by MrShaggy · · Score: 4, Funny

    They're not dead, they're just pining for the fjords.

    --
    I have mod points and I am not afraid to use them.
  16. Re:old video by scottv67 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Was that the rock monster episode?

    Rock monster? Rock monster??? Jeeeeesus!!! Every geek knows that the creatures were called "Hortas".
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horta_(Star_Trek)

    This is the Star Trek episode where we got to hear McCoy complain to Capt Kirk, "Damn-it Jim, I'm a doctor not a bricklayer!" as he was patching the wounds on the Horta.
    That quote is mentioned on the bottom of the Wikipedia page.

    Rock monster? Please turn in your geek card at the door. ;^)
    Just for grins, what is your name for the furry creatures in "The Trouble with Tribbles?" :^)

  17. WMD by Malfourmed · · Score: 5, Funny

    Weapons of Mars Destruction?

    --
    a world in progress...
  18. Re: killing off the natives before we colonize by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    > This whole thing is really like "War Of The Worlds" in reverse, isn't it? We do to others exactly what we fear and claim they're trying to do to us.

    Oh, now come on! It's not like we intentionally sent giant tripods to another world and started vaporizing the indigenous... ...oh, wait. Never mind!

  19. Re:old video by SleepyHappyDoc · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just for grins, what is your name for the furry creatures in "The Trouble with Tribbles?

    Flatcats.

    --
    Stasis is death. Embrace change.
  20. Re:Can't you read? by 5of0 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Previously... NASA Supervisor: "Look, matey, I know a dead bacteria when I see one, and I'm looking at one right now." NASA Employee: "No, no, he's restin'! Look, there, it just moved!" NASA Supervisor: "No it didn't, you bumped the petri dish!" NASA Employee: "No, I never did anything."

    --
    You all have Oo.o and Firefox, so get World Wind.