Microscope studies Mars soil up close and personal

William Atkins
Monday, 16 June 2008 19:28

Science - Space

Co-investigator Nilton Renno (University of Michigan) states, "We've seen no major dust clouds at the landing site during the mission so far. That's not a surprise because we landed when dust activity is at a minimum. But we expect to see big dust storms at the end of the mission. Some of us will be very excited to see some of those dust storms reach the lander." [University of Arizona]

As on Earth, dust in the atmosphere helps to produce changes in global climate. Renno states, "We've learned there is well-mixed dust in the Martian atmosphere, much more mixed than on Earth, and that's a surprise.”

Images and videos associated with mission day Sol 19, and the information in this articles, are found at “Arizona images Sol 19” and “Arizona videos Sol 19.”

For the three-month mission on Mars, the Phoenix Lander science team are attempting to answer important questions. Primarily they want to answer these three questions:

1. Can the Martian arctic area support life?
2. What is the history of water at and near the landing site?
3. How is the Martian climate affected by polar dynamics (dust storms, etc.)?

To learn more about the history of the Phoenix Mars Lander mission, please go to the University of Arizona website “The Story.”