(Not) Life on Mars

Not too long ago, the Spirit Mars rover beamed back to Earth an interesting image. From the robot's perspective, it looked an awful lot like a humanoid statue, which of course got the crackpots (the same ones who ramble on about the "face on Mars") claiming that it was proof of intelligent life on Mars.

Well, good ol' science has solved the mystery. Much like the heralded Cydonia face, the "statue" was nothing more than a rock eroded by the wind into something that looks vaguely human. It's an interesting example of equating "intelligent" life with human life. One of the simplest tests you can do is ask yourself, "If this were really a statue on Mars, why the hell would it look like one of us?" Lesson learned: don't look for us in space, because you won't find anything past this blue marble.

MSNBC space science blogger Alan Boyle has the story.

I Heart Geology

A geologist, a geochemist and a geophysicist are sitting in their office when someone comes in and asks, "What's 2 + 2?"

The geologist responds, "Oh, around four."

The geochemist says, "Four plus or minus two."

The geophysicist says, "What number do you want?"

Get it? WHAT NUMBER DO YA WANT?! Hahahahahahahahahahaha! I love geology.

Done and Done

Something about stem cells was in the news this week. I kind of tuned in and out. What do you want from me? It was a holiday weekend.

Also, did you know that Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated in October? It's true.

The (Mesozoic) Cow Jumped Over the (Steroid-Soaked) Moon

Hey there, science fans! It was a week with some interesting news about and involving science.

First, to the world of sports: Barry Bonds was indicted on perjury charges this week. The perjury in question was about his use of steroids, so how about a basic refresher: What are steroids? And just what are the effects of steroids on the human body?

The late fall and winter months are the best for stargazers and lunar observers. I'm a Moon man myself, and so I hope you'll join me in getting out the ol' telescope and lunar charts and take advantage of tonight's half-moon. Here's a guide to get you started.

Scientists this week revealed the discovery of a dinosaur whose appetite resembles that of a modern cow--plants, grasses and the like. Its mouth had several rows of teeth, better to chew that stringy cellulose. Learn more from the Los Angeles Times.

Um...Some Science-Type Stuff

The debate over Intelligent Design in this country has been going on for years (though exactly why escapes me--it ain't science). The always-enlightening PBS series NOVA profiles the struggle between science and ID in one Pennsylvania town in "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial," airing Tuesday, November 13 at 8:00 p.m. CST.

Anyone else tried searching for Comet Holmes? I got out my telescope and set up in the back of my truck Monday night, searching for what was billed as this spectacular comet. When I finally found the darn thing, it was just a fuzzy gray blob. Booooooooo. Hisssssssss. Maybe you'll have better luck--Holmes will be visible for another few weeks.

Gratuitous mention of a nifty Wikipedia article: the rings of Jupiter.

Finally, and on a lighter note, the Times of London presents a list of the ten wackiest science experiments of all time.

Shake, Rattle and Die

So on Tuesday, there was this earthquake, right? It was near San Jose. It was moderate one--only a 5.6--but it could portend larger temblors for the San Francisco Bay Area in the near future. But not many residents are preparing for such an event. Read more in the San Jose Mercury News.

Other than that, there was surely science conducted somewhere in the world this week. But you'll have to go elsewhere to read about it. And his wife...a horse.

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Fire Science

Obviously, the California wildfires have been leading newscasts and newspaper front pages this week. Perhaps not-so-obviously, there is a scientific side to the story.

Time magazine gives us an idea of the basic science behind wildfires.

There's a geographic take on the fires over USA Today.com. It's an interactive map you can manipulate to show different landmarks and weather data in relation to the fires.

The National Weather Service forecast offices in Los Angeles and San Diego are keeping close tabs on the Santa Ana winds that fan the flames.

And just what are the Santa Ana winds, anyway? How do they form, and what makes them so dangerous? NPR's Morning Edition offers up some answers. If you want a more in-depth explanation, you can get it from UCLA.