Excited about Mars lander Phoenix

[Kendall]

Anyone else out there following the Phoenix landing.  I hope everything goes well tonight with the landing.

[Gracie Faise]

im a total space exploration junkie. I love this stuff. Sadly I never know where to follow it on TV or anything. I always end up catching old documentaries about it or documentaries talking about when it happened a long time ago 

[Kendall]

Alright, glad to meet another with common interests.

Ya history channel or PBS is where I see the documentaries. I love Nova, Cosmos (with Carl Sagan) when I get chances to catch it.

Now days I don't wait to hear stuff on the news, rather I go to the source on the internet.

www.nasa.gov

Btw the most up to date news is concerning under the Phoenix, assumed to be blown away from the Jet thrusters during landing, is what they think is ice.




Or for the complete panarama around the Lander
http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/233701main_site_pan_001_001.jpg (large full resolution pic)

And for the Latest Phoenix news:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/main/

Also Mars Exploration Rovers are still working (though degrading and experiencing some major challenges)



The Latest Rover News:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mer/index.html

And here is a size comparison of the different landers.

[gina]

Another space nut here.. Yes, some awesome finds are going to be found this time around I predict. 

gina

[mickie88]

i hope they find stuff out so if someone like me wants to move there, i can. i love space stuff too. i watch almost all the sci-fi shows, but oddly i can't stand star wars...lol


Warrior Princess Mickie

[Kendall]

Updating this post a little for those not following who want the basics.


Picture of ice dug under the top soil of mars disappearing over a period of 4 days by sublimating (Definition: Sublimation of an element or compound is a transition from the solid to gas phase with no intermediate liquid stage).


Dirt load delivered to wet chemistry lab.


Optical Microscope sample of dirt from mars showing particles.


Concerning the analysis of the soil sample.

We basically have found what appears to be the requirements, the nutrients, to support life whether past present or future," Sam Kounaves, the lead investigator for the wet chemistry laboratory on Phoenix, told journalists.

"It is the type of soil you would probably have in your back yard, you know, alkaline. You might be able to grow asparagus in it really well. ... It is very exciting for us."

The 1 cubic meter (35 cubic feet) of soil was taken from about 1 inch below the surface of Mars and had a pH, or alkaline, level of 8 or 9. "We were all flabbergasted at the data we got back," Kounaves said.


Quote from http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSN2634952620080626

Well that is some of the latest info, since last post.