One of NASA's three probes on the red planet has cashed in. Two years ago tomorrow, the Phoenix Mars Lander plopped down near the north pole, and for 5 months it transmitted data indicating the onetime presence of water beneath the frozen surface. Then the long and dark Martian winter interrupted communications. When spring returned last year, NASA mission controllers attempted to reestablish contact with the solar-powered probe, but 211 tries failed to detect a signal. Now, images taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter tell the tale. Not only is the lander buried by hundreds of kilograms of frozen carbon dioxide, but most likely, scientists reported today, the weight of the ice has broken off the solar panels, rendering Phoenix a relic - and maybe a candidate for display in a Martian museum by residents in some future, distant year.

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• Archive

• Neighboring Solar System Resembles Ours
  2010-08-25 10:15:43 - 15 views - 0 reactions
  Astronomers have found the most populous alien solar system yet...
• Martian Volcano Mud May Have Hosted Life
  2010-08-24 17:44:26 - 17 views - 0 reactions
  They're not exactly prime real estate, but Martians may have...
• Simon's Cat in 'The Box'
  2010-08-19 17:50:06 - 22 views - 0 reactions
  It's been a while, but there's a new movie from Simon's Cat.
• Rock, paper, scissors
  2010-08-16 08:07:49 - 35 views - 0 reactions
  
• Odd Galaxy Raises Many Questions
  2010-08-13 08:25:41 - 41 views - 0 reactions
  Something unusual and mysterious has happened to NGC 4696....

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