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Mars Scoop May Not Be So 'Earth-Shaking' After All

But it will be 'interesting,' spokesman promises

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 20, 2012 7:23 PM CST

(Newser) – An NPR story about NASA's Mars mission generated lots of attention today because of a big tease from a lead scientist looking at soil samples taken by the Curiosity rover:

  • "This data is gonna be one for the history books. It's looking really good."
But NASA's John Grotzinger couldn't divulge details on the potential discovery because it has yet to be confirmed—we'll have to a wait a few weeks for that.

Might it be bombshell news about the planet's ability to sustain life? Eh, maybe: A subsequent post by Time quotes a NASA spokesman who sounds like he's trying very hard to dampen expectations:

  • “As for history books, the whole mission is for the history books."
  • "It won't be earth-shaking, but it will be interesting."
  • "John was excited about the quality and range of information coming in" on the day of the interview. "He has been similarly excited by results at other points during the mission so far."

This image released by NASA on Aug. 29 shows Curiosity's wheels after it made its third drive on Mars.
This image released by NASA on Aug. 29 shows Curiosity's wheels after it made its third drive on Mars.   (AP Photo/NASA)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
1freeusa
Nov 26, 2012 6:34 PM CST
This is a lot more exciteing than the casualty list coming from the islamic world or  how much more we need in defense spending to protect us from the enemies we spend money to create.
AstroDude
Nov 20, 2012 11:52 PM CST
The press release will be before Christmas, and I'm personally as excited as I was on Sol 27 when we found the conglomerate. You guys will like the news. We're quite happy. 
Spudsy
Nov 20, 2012 10:06 PM CST
Good for this excitable guy.  This country needs more people to get excited by science. Maybe we could get rid of this "earth is only 6000 years old" shit once and for all. 
 

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