Phoenix dives into the ice
 

Rather than rising from the flames, NASA's phoenix lander has alighted on the surface of mars. I have just watched this with my father, a retired engineer, and we were both spellbound. I must admit I am totally in awe of the achievements of NASA, especially considering their somewhat limited budget. Now we have to wait several hours to see if the solar panels deploy correctly. Fingers crossed all 'round.

I tell you, I would give my eye teeth to be involved in such a project, but unfortunately I'm a bit of a crap mathematician. Still, maybe they will need biologists soon, I certainly hope so.

Anyone else watching?

Nick.

Four hundred and twenty three million miles (or thereabouts) and it still works, if only these buggers built cars I would be a happy man.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/main/

Congratulations to NASA and everyone involved.


N.

Yes, I'm very busy, but I've been trying to pay attention to this very cool event.

Now we hope to find some kind of life there. That would be so cool!

Is it sad that I thought this topic was going to be about Phoenix Wright?

Can't say I've been following it closely, but an impressive achievement. Should be interesting to see what they find.

Squinky: For NASA or for you? Maybe the space program would get more money if their astronauts had spiky hair and were prone to shouting "Objection!". ;)

Me too!!

http://www.netdragons.com/~xeth/pict...%20Martian.JPG

I find all of this very exciting! To celebrate, I just read John Varley's Red Thunder about a group of amateurs who go to Mars in a ship made out of railroad tankers.

shaken not stirred?
 

It looks like phoenix could have landed in a patch of permafrost just as they wanted it too:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/main/

we wait with baited breath (that's me and my dad, not the royal we!)

So supposing life is found I guess there would be two possibilities: It is very different to us which might suggest life is common in solar systems silimlar to our own, or it is very close to us which might suggest panspermia.

Hey, I'd be happy wiht either.

N.