Tag Archives: Mars

That Martian methane

Posted on January 18, 2009 | Comments Off on That Martian methane

Big Media, as usual, is twisting the discovery of the methane to mean that there probably are microbes beneath the windblown soil of the Red Planet. But the researchers say it could as easily be the result of geological processes. I agree with Instapundit that it would be best if the source was not microbial. If it was, we would then be faced with worrying about contamination of Mars from visiting humans or, perhaps worse, of Earth on their return. Be simpler all around if Mars is a reasonably sterile wasteland. Especially for the (admittedly debatable) dreams of making it a second, habitable home some day away from the threat of nuclear war.

Comments Off on That Martian methane

Posted in Space

Tagged , ,

The vast waters of Mars

Posted on November 22, 2008 | Comments Off on The vast waters of Mars

Mars, it seems, for all its dust, airlessness and radiation, could be a livable place, after all.

Via the Seablogger.

Comments Off on The vast waters of Mars

Posted in Blogosphere, Science/Engineering, Space

Tagged , , ,

New home away from home

Posted on August 3, 2008 | Comments Off on New home away from home

The confirmation this week of liquid water on Mars may not be startling but it’s a solid boost:

"Mars has become a much more attractive location for the establishment of earthly life. That knowledge will help in the refinement of plans for settling the planet in a self-sufficient way, whenever those who wish to do so can somehow raise the money to get there."

Government’s bean counters will decide, for now, until private enterprise can figure how to make money off it.

Comments Off on New home away from home

Posted in Space

Tagged , , ,

Just another day on Mars

Posted on May 25, 2008 | Comments Off on Just another day on Mars

229952main_S_000EFF_CYL_SR10CA8_R888M1.jpg

One of the first photos from Phoenix, a black-n-white "postcard," as the JPL engineers call it, of the Martian arctic. Color panoramas to come later. This is going to be fun. 

Comments Off on Just another day on Mars

Posted in Space

Tagged ,

Phoenix touchdown

Posted on May 25, 2008 | Comments Off on Phoenix touchdown

The robot made a gentle, five mph landing on Mars about 6:53 p.m. CDT and all looks good:

"…we’ve found that the lander is tilted only one quarter of a degree, which means we’ve landed nearly perfectly level. The next step for Phoenix is surface initialization during which the solar arrays, Surface Stereo Imager (SSI), Biobarrier (which has been protecting the robotic arm from contamination since it was sterilized on Earth) and meteorological mast will deploy."

Stay with NASA’s Phoenix blog for updates, and reports as the robot gets to work analyzing its site on the Arctic Plain of the Red Planet.

Comments Off on Phoenix touchdown

Posted in Space

Tagged , ,

Waiting for the Phoenix

Posted on May 20, 2008 | Comments Off on Waiting for the Phoenix

183570main_pia09943-516.jpg

Just five days from now, the Phoenix will land on Mars’ icy northern plains. NASA has a new blog up in prep for the event, word of which could come as soon as 6:53 p.m. Sunday CDT. Should be exciting. Worth remembering: fewer than half the international attempts to land on Mars have been successful. Phoenix could crash and not be heard from again–nor arise from the ashes.

Comments Off on Waiting for the Phoenix

Posted in Space

Tagged , ,

Waiting for the Phoenix

Posted on May 16, 2008 | Comments Off on Waiting for the Phoenix

Mars is scheduled to get another curious visitor from Earth on Sunday the 25th. The Phoenix robot lander will touch down at the Red Planet’s North Pole and "taste and sniff" the soil and buried water-ice that other robot instruments have shown to be there. Why bother? Aside from the Moon, Mars is the best spot for human colonies beyond the home planet. NASA has a blog that will begin coverage of Phoenix on Monday.

Comments Off on Waiting for the Phoenix

Posted in Space

Tagged ,