It’s snowing on Mars

By William Atkins
Tuesday, 30 September 2008 00:45

Science - Space

The NASA Phoenix Mars Lander has identified snow falling from Martian clouds. A Phoenix scientist says, “Nothing like this view has ever been seen on Mars.”


NASA just announced (Monday, September 29, 2008) through its news release, “NASA Mars Lander sees falling snow, soil data suggests liquid past,” that Phoenix has detected snow falling from about 2.5 miles (4.2 kilometers) above the landing site of the spacecraft.

The snow is falling from Martian clouds within its atmosphere

The NASA website of the Phoenix Mars Lander mission contains more information.

However, Phoenix has shown that the snow is vaporizing before it reaches the ground.

Canada's York University professor Jim Whiteway, who is the lead scientist for the Meteorological Station onboard the Phoenix spacecraft, stated, “Nothing like this view has ever been seen on Mars. We'll be looking for signs that the snow may even reach the ground." [NASA]

A laser instrument onboard Phoenix, which is designed to analyze the atmosphere and surface of Mars (along with their interactions), gathered the data, which made this stunning announcement.

The NASA article also announces more evidence for a watery past on the planet Mars. Please read on.