Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) on Tuesday raised eyebrows when he asked a panel of space experts if an advanced civilization ever lived on Mars.
The panel—which included the project scientist for NASA's Mars 2020 rover mission, Ken Farley—was testifying in a public hearing before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology when Rohrabacher asked the question.
“You have indicated that Mars had, was totally different thousands of years ago,” the GOP Congressman began. “Is it possible that there was a civilization on Mars thousands of years ago?”
"So, the evidence is that Mars was different billions of years ago, not thousands of years ago,” Farley replied. “And there is no evidence I'm aware of that—“
"Would you rule that out?" Rohrabacher pressed.
"I would say that is extremely unlikely," Farley replied.
That Rohrabacher, an avid climate change denier, was so interested in the possible existence of an intelligent civilization on another planet lit up the Internet Tuesday night.
Read some of the best responses below, via Twitter:
That moment when you're not sure if the ancient Martian civilization question is a joke or if your agency's funding… https://t.co/zHsqD2fqum— Brian Kahn (@Brian Kahn) 1500407113.0
California Congressman Dana Rohrabacher asked NASA about ancient civilizations from Mars https://t.co/2jkFTn8Iyr https://t.co/l6CQnxR3iU— Salvador Hernandez (@Salvador Hernandez) 1500408203.0
@Nate_Cohn His follow up question was regarding the quality of said Martians' dank weed.— Brandon Finnigan (@Brandon Finnigan) 1500411323.0
Rep. Rohrabacher denies global warming, is the best friend to the Russians in the House and apparently is so out of… https://t.co/OsfhUvksbl— Bryan William Jones (@Bryan William Jones) 1500416227.0
Dit is Congreslid Dana Rohrabacher: https://t.co/huu5Hkn1Rg— Guus Valk (@Guus Valk) 1500415965.0
This is the same Rep. Rohrabacher (R-CA) who praised ISIS last month and suggested the US should support the group. https://t.co/IdlEqD8imn— Tim Baffoe (@Tim Baffoe) 1500414636.0
Unexpected consequences of failing to sufficiently emphasize critical thinking in whatever schools Rohrabacher atte… https://t.co/zRl6TQBA6B— Mika McKinnon (@Mika McKinnon) 1500406473.0
Watch: Putin's Congressman @DanaRohrabacher is on A MISSION to find out if there was ever “a civilization” on Mars… https://t.co/GKqM8MRCOq— Reagan Battalion (@Reagan Battalion) 1500415302.0
@Nate_Cohn Our Vice Chairman of the Science, Space and Technology Committee, everyone— Tara (@Tara) 1500409491.0
@thehill Send #Trump on a one way rocket to Investigate— Photodude (@Photodude) 1500410750.0
@thehill Dana Rohrabacher, the Mr. MaGoo of Congress— Rube Bait (@Rube Bait) 1500411169.0
@twkovach looking forward to full committee hearings featuring the ghost of Robert Stack as a witness— Brian Kahn (@Brian Kahn) 1500407694.0
What the eff. Congressman asks scientists if they’ve found ancient civilizations on Mars https://t.co/xSWxcJfc3r— Lewis Leong (@Lewis Leong) 1500414459.0
@DanaRohrabacher I can suggest a good telescope and filters and a book on Mars that collectively will answer your question.— Brandon Finnigan (@Brandon Finnigan) 1500411712.0
Rep. John Carter of Mars https://t.co/UXiwsk3iqB— ryan teague beckwith (@ryan teague beckwith) 1500410573.0
