While it’s not the first time that we have photos from Mars, it is the first time in what seems a long time since we had a safe landing on Mars. NASA isn’t what it used to be, but it is nice to know they can still get some things right. I feel sure it will just be a matter of time before someone finds a shadow that looks like Paris Hilton drinking a Mojito in these latest Mars pictures.
Silliness about faces and figures in Mars photos aside, these images continue to be both amazing and boring. Amazing that we can see the surface of another planet-boring that it looks so much like a bunch of rocks laying in a desert. This is exactly what a Mars photo should look like-but it would be fun to spot a Starbucks Coming Soon sign in one corner.
The Phoenix Mars Lander is looking for water and signs of life-life as we know it, Jim. A NASA Spokesman said that they were looking to see if there were common building blocks on Mars and Earth to prove that life should exist elsewhere in the Universe. Didn’t we find some meteorite with microbes in it that was supposed to come from Mars already?
The long term goals of the Phoenix Mars Lander are to determine whether Life ever arose on Mars, characterize the Climate of Mars, characterize the Geology of Mars, and prepare for Human Exploration. All lofty goals.
At the moment human exploration of Mars would be a one way trip-so looking at Mars photos is a much safer and easier way to explore the red planet. The Phoenix Mars Lander is also going to do a little digging and see what it turns up. Hopefully a bit of water with who knows what floating around in it.
As a fan of sci fi it is hard not to expect something unforeseen happening. A Mars picture of a Martian Canal would be nice. Or maybe some footprints left by some unknown Martian explorer. A small flag waving from something previous expedition. But the odds are good that there will be nothing in the Mars pictures but rocks and sand and strong shadows. And maybe Paris Hilton-she does get around.
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