May 25, 2008

(Image Credit: NASA) The Phoenix Mars Lander has touched down upon the surface of the red planet, according to NASA. Unlike its rover siblings, the Phoenix’s priority is to discover whether or not life exists on Mars. NASA has been promoting the mission aggressively, as it has the potential to reshape our viewpoint of the Universe (not to mention life...

Aug 21, 2007

Despite the fact that they already have two rovers roaming the surface of Mars, NASA is preparing to send yet another rover to scout out the red planet. It’s mission is to determine whether or not life can exist exist upon the Martian surface. Unlike its previous “brothers,” this rover is equipped with a vast array of scientific tools, not to...

Aug 21, 2007

(Image Credit: ESA via Skymania News) It looks as if the British are about to invade the red planet but unleashing a smart rover to roam across the surface of Mars. (Skymania News) A UK-built robot is set dramatically to speed up the search for life on Mars, European space scientists were being told today. The roving explorer, nicknamed Bridget, will be...

Aug 6, 2007

(Image: Phoenix lifting off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Credit: NASA) With the successful launch of NASA’s Phoenix “rover,” scientists will finally be able to discover just how fertile Martian soil is for life (both future and current). (The Planetary Society) “Today’s launch is the first step in the long journey to the...

Jul 10, 2007

(Video: NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander will visit the north polar region of Mars in search of “habitable soil.” Credit: NASA) Of all the rovers that have or will grace the surface of Mars, Phoenix may prove to be the most important. While the purpose of the other three rovers is to satisfy geologists by observing Martian rocks, the Phoenix...

Apr 24, 2007

(Image Credit: ESO, via Space.com) Note: Nothing to do with our own solar system, but it is interesting nonetheless. It looks like scientists may have spotted the first planet outside of our solar system that is potentially habitable for life. (Space.com) An Earth-like planet spotted outside our solar system is the first found that could support liquid water...

Mar 13, 2007

Note: I have not been as faithful as I desired to in posting here (as life has been fairly busy) but these are some of the stories that may catch your eye regarding our future among the stars. ________________________________ Astroprof discusses the dangers of bone loss due to the lack of gravity in space. Despite NASA’s attempts at reducing the loss, the...

Feb 27, 2007

With scientists attempting to build technology to locate life on other worlds, they may be constructing a useful device to locate lost future travelers hiking on foreign soils. (Red Orbit) NASA-funded researchers are refining a tool that could not only check for the faintest traces of life’s molecular building blocks on Mars, but could also determine...