Mars and ‘The Martian’: In space, no one can hear the hype

This undated photo provided by NASA and taken by an instrument aboard the agency's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows dark, narrow, 100 meter-long streaks on the surface of Mars that scientists believe were caused by flowing streams of salty water. Researchers said Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, that the latest observations strongly support the longtime theory that salt water in liquid form flows down certain Martian slopes each summer. (NASA/JPL/University of Arizona via AP) — This undated photo provided by NASA and taken by an instrument aboard the agency’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows dark, narrow, 100 meter-long streaks on the surface of Mars that scientists believe were caused by flowing streams of salty water. Researchers said Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, that the latest observations strongly support the longtime theory that salt water in liquid form flows down certain Martian slopes each summer. (NASA/JPL/University of Arizona via AP)

By Angela Hill | Bay Area News Group

PUBLISHED: September 28, 2015 at 6:06 a.m. | UPDATED: August 12, 2016 at 12:40 a.m.

Cosmic coincidence? Or harmonic Hollywood marketing? Either way, it was perfect timing and a publicist’s dream for NASA scientists to announce Monday that they think they believe they can possibly maybe confirm strong signs of the existence of liquid water sometimes maybe possibly flowing on Mars.

Isn’t that awesome? Especially with “The Martian” hitting theaters Thursday. It’s Ridley Scott’s latest, and is being praised — even by NASA types — as more “sci” than “fi,” starring Matt Damon as an astronaut stranded on Mars and all the cool stuff he does to try to survive and possibly get home.

But after today’s Salon story, in which Damon suggests gay actors should stay in the closet (http://bit.ly/1Fxcp6L), he might just want to stay up there.