NASA Mars Lander Sees Falling Snow, Soil Data Suggest Liquid Past
 

An awesome article that I found on Digg a few minutes ago.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ph...-20080929.html

Re: NASA Mars Lander Sees Falling Snow, Soil Data Suggest Liquid Past
 

It's sad to see the Phoenix begin to decline in performance, but this is a grand development! Snow falling on Mars means a great chance of it being capable of supporting life, and that will be one of the greatest discoveries on Mars.

Great find!

Re: NASA Mars Lander Sees Falling Snow, Soil Data Suggest Liquid Past
 

I like snow.

Dave, you know when plans will allow Martian ski trips?

Re: NASA Mars Lander Sees Falling Snow, Soil Data Suggest Liquid Past
 

Awesome article... I love reading about robots in vogue. :rolleyes:

When there isn't enough sun exposure to run the insturments, will the robot just shut down and then come back online when there's enough sun again next martian year?

-q

Re: NASA Mars Lander Sees Falling Snow, Soil Data Suggest Liquid Past
 

Well, theoretically, but in the polar regions of Mars it gets cold, really cold, and they're pretty sure the electronics will get frozen to death over the winter.

According to this article in November they won't be able to run the heaters, which they need to protect the lander against the frigid (-85 C at night in late August!) temperatures which are only getting colder.