Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) asked a panel of experts Tuesday during a House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology hearing if there was ever “a civilization” on Mars.
In a question to a panel of planetary scientists, Rohrabacher asked: "You have indicated that Mars had, was totally different thousands of years ago. Is it possible that there was a civilization on Mars thousands of years ago?"
Dr. Kenneth Farley, a project scientist for the Mars Rover 2020 Project, informed the congressman that no such evidence exists.
"So, the evidence is that Mars was different billions of years ago, not thousands of years ago," Farley said. "There is no evidence that I'm aware of."
But Rohrabacher continued to press Farley about the potential of an ancient civilization on the Red Planet.
"Would you rule that out?" Rohrabacher asked.
"I would say that is extremely unlikely," Farley replied.
After Rohrabacher concluded his line of questioning, Space Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) joked that the committee is “looking forward to finding out what’s up there” on Mars.
Twitter users mocked Rohrabacher over the question.
(H/T Washington Examiner)
