Mars Rover finds Bathtub, Rubber Ducky and other signs of water.
Pasadena, CA - Scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory were cautiously optimistic Tuesday about the possibility there was once water on Mars, as the Spirit Rover seemed to ignore what appeared to be a rubber ducky, a bathtub and a pair of children's swim fins in the distance.
"We are still studying the nearby sediment and our instruments are sending data, so we should have a definitive answer in the next month or two," said deputy project manager Richard Cook. "However, this is very complicated science, and it may take longer."
Other scientists were skeptical about the soil readings and believe the Martian surface was never hospitable enough to support large oceans of water, as others claim.
Project scientists including those at NASA seemed to ignore the flood of calls by UFO enthusiasts pointing out the clearly identifiable children's toys just meters away from the rover's instrument panel.
"We must wait to drill into a nearby rock, which we've named Copernicus before we can say anything about the possibility of water," said Pete Theisinger, manager of the $400 million Spirit mission. "Finding signs of life at this time would only be possible if the planet was conducive to water, perhaps 2 or 3 billion years ago. And we don't expect to have answers about any form of primitive cellular life for perhaps 20-30 years. Maybe never."
"Open your eyes, you idiot," screamed one fan camped outside the Jet Propulsion Lab headquarters Wednesday. "They're just like us. They like bathtub toys!"
NASA addressed the recent interest with a post on their webpage:
"We are absolutely thrilled with the interest and enthusiasm of the American people about space and science, but we must move slowly and with caution if we are to find life-bearing frozen water particles on Mars. Only then can we look into other possibilities, such as a planet supporting rubber, plastics and factories in which to mass produce them."
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