Breaking news from Universe Today about a special briefing given the White House on recent results from the Phoenix Mars Lander:
More after the fold:
From Universe Today:
It would appear that the US President has been briefed by Phoenix scientists about the discovery of something more "provocative" than the discovery of water existing on the Martian surface. This news comes just as the Thermal and Evolved Gas Analyzer (TEGA) confirmed experimental evidence for the existence of water in the Mars regolith on Thursday. Whilst NASA scientists are not claiming that life once existed on the Red Planet's surface, new data appears to indicate the "potential for life" more conclusively than the TEGA water results. Apparently these new results are being kept under wraps until further, more detailed analysis can be carried out, but we are assured that this announcement will be huge...
Of course, one has to wonder how this news might handled by the current administration, given how both EPA and NASA scientists have been muzzled on science for ideological reasons.
Scientists are often cautious when it comes to publishing dramatic findings. This has the look & feel of being a big deal.
Curious that the Vatican would issue a recent statement about the possibility of life on other planets... The article goes on:
So why is there all this secrecy? According to scientists in communication with Aviation Week & Space Technology, the next big discovery will need to be mulled over for a while before it is announced to the world. In fact, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory science team for the MECA wet-chemistry instrument that made these undisclosed findings were kept out of the July 31st news conference (confirming water) so additional analysis could be carried out, avoiding any questions that may have revealed their preliminary results. They have also made the decision to discuss the results with the Bush Administration's Presidential Science Advisor's office before a press conference between mid-August and early September.
Looking forward to the press conferences later this month!