There's the key to your [lack of] precipitation problems! Just get everybody in Midland to wash their cars.

If you saw the lines at all the local car washes, you'd know that we're taking that approach very seriously.

There has been compelling evidence of liquid water on Mars for many years now - flowing down crater walls and hills...some even pooling, from the raw MALIN/NASA images. They have also shown some sort of "trees" as well. Simliar to our own banyan trees in the deserts of Earth. Sir Arthur C. Clarke has even commented on them.

How aggravating it is to encounter individuals who still maintain a hard grasp on old and antiquainted teachings about Mars...being a cold, dry and dead world. News like this shakes them up and makes them re-evaluate. Not a comfortable place to be. I guess until they can take a cool refreshing Martian drink, they will always be skeptical. Too bad.

I'm glad that NASA has finally announced the news of flowing water on Mars, and it's just a matter of time - of evidence from biological fingerprints. There is already an increase in methane in the atmosphere...could it be Martian critters?

Just a matter of time.

Respectfully,

Chicago Astronomer Joe
Administrator
www.chicagoastronomer.com

...could it be Martian critters?

Well, sure...who do you think does the detailing at the car wash? ;-)

Seriously, though, I wouldn't be too hard on those who hold the "old and antiquated teachings about Mars." After all, they're (mostly) just reflecting the science of the day, and the replacement of old "facts" with new ones should always be subject to some level of informed skepticism via rigorous examination. That process isn't quick, and reasonable people may differ as to whether it should be.

I could explain both the water and the increase in methane levels. Instead, I'll simply apologize and note that it's bloody difficult finding a port-a-john once you move beyond the immediate confines of... well, Earth.