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31 May 2008
Phoenix: Good News / Bad News
Bad news first: it looks like the Thermal Evolved Gas Analyzer (TEGA) instrument may have a short circuit in the mass spectrometer. I really hope they get this cleared up, because as I discussed before, the mass spectrometer is crucial in determining whether there are organic molecules or possibly life in any soil samples. Now the good news: Images from the robotic arm camera are showing a smooth, light-toned substance …
22 May 2008
The Search for Life on Mars: Part 2
In a previous post, I talked about how the idea of life on Mars captivated the mind of the world before the space age, and left off with the arrival of Mariner 4. Now, with the Phoenix landing coming up on Sunday, I thought it would be fitting to continue the story of the search for life on Mars by looking at what past spacecraft have found. When Mariner 4 …
29 April 2008
The Man Who Invented Mars
The Boston Globe has a nice article about Percival Lowell (of Martian canal fame), life on Mars, and the upcoming Phoenix lander mission. Check it out.
24 April 2008
The Search for Life on Mars: Part 1
Pre-Space Age The prospect of life on Mars has tantalized humans for centuries. We long to find some proof that we are not alone, that the universe is not as empty as it seems, and so we look to the most Earth-like planet in our solar system for signs of life. Early astronomers quickly noticed that Mars shares some properties with the Earth. In 1783, William Herschel discussed the similarities …
