Pete Goldie

(Playing The Martian Guessing Game - Addendum #1)

Now this is unusual:

The Martian Guessing Game is in full swing.  Triggered by an interview with Mars Curiosity Rover P.I. John Grotzinger, NPR's Joe Palca reported on Tuesday (11/20/2012) that a very exciting result has been returned from the Sample Analysis at Mars instruments (SAM), the onboard miniature chemistry laboratory.  With such loaded teasers as "the analysis shows something earthshaking", "one for the history books" and the data "are looking real good", how can any close observer of the mission not fantasize about the Holy Grail of space exploration... the first sign of extraterrestrial life?  Is it real this time?

The parking lot on Twin Peaks is no place for a San Francisco resident from September to October. Huge tourist buses and shiny new rental minivans disgorge hundreds of visitors from England, France, Japan and especially Germany, who line the viewing area to marvel at and photograph the beauty of the City from the Golden Gate Bridge to the South Bay. This morning, the last day of summer 2012, was an exception.

Neil Armstrong turned 82 three weeks ago, on the day that the Curiosity Rover landed safely on Mars. Two days later he underwent surgery on blocked coronary arteries, the procedure led to complications and his death Saturday. One should hope that this modest hero can be remembered and respected by all, without reservation. Such simple hopes, once so easy to assume before "faked moon landing", are as gone as our long boyhood summers.