Mars Lander Sees Falling Snow 118
Riding with Robots writes "NASA reports that the Phoenix Mars Lander has detected snow falling from Martian clouds. According to the Canadian team running a weather experiment, a laser instrument designed to study how the atmosphere and surface interact on Mars has detected snow from clouds about 4 kilometers above the landing site. Data shows the snow vaporizing before reaching the surface, but one of the mission scientists said, 'We'll be looking for signs that the snow may even reach the ground.' Spacecraft soil experiments have also provided evidence of past interaction between minerals and liquid water."
Robot Santa has moved shop! (Score:2, Funny)
If there is water... (Score:5, Funny)
Mars is essentially in the same orbit... Mars is somewhat the same distance from the Sun, which is very important. We have seen pictures where there are canals, we believe, and water. If there is water, that means there is oxygen. If oxygen, that means we can breathe.
Dan Quayle, 8/11/89 [quotationspage.com]
Turns out Dan was right ;)
White Christmas? (Score:2, Funny)
OK, so any chance of a white Christmas on Mars?
Canadians? Snow? Mars? (Score:4, Funny)
Is it April 1st again?
Canadian Funding rounds (Score:5, Funny)
Canadian Scientist: We'd like some money to look for Snow on Mars
Canadian Funding: Errr we have lots of Snow already
CS: Ahh but if we find snow on Mars then we can ski-doo on Mars
CF: Errr we can ski-doo here
CS: Well yes but if we find the snow first we'll get first tracks which means the Yanks will have to let us go on the manned mission
CF: Sweeeeet
Yes folks, its all about finding freshies and there is no lengths to which Canadians will not go in the search for fresh powder.
Cue the colonists (Score:3, Funny)
Global warming putting a damper on your ski vacations in the Alps or Rockies? Not a problem!
Martian Lander Snow Angels next? (Score:5, Funny)
(Too bad the Hubble will not be able to take a picture of it though... http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/09/29/1846238 [slashdot.org] )
Re:If there is water... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Robot Santa has moved shop! (Score:1, Funny)
I'm dreaming of a Red Christmas!
Re:Martian Lander Snow Angels next? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Canadian Funding rounds (Score:3, Funny)
Alternative ending.
CS: Well yes but just think about how fun sledding would be with 1/3 gravity!
CF: Sweeeeet
Re:Martian Lander Snow Angels next? (Score:3, Funny)
*blink*
Ok, how about panache then?
Re:Robot Santa has moved shop! (Score:5, Funny)
In Soviet Russia...we have Red Christmas!
If we could only just get it to snow in Hell ... (Score:2, Funny)
Why didn't the damn bastard say "snows on Mars" instead, it could have saved $700 billion!
Re:White Christmas? (Score:1, Funny)
Yes. Kim Stanley Robinson is writing it now.
Re:Robot Santa has moved shop! (Score:5, Funny)
That's not snow! It's falling Ash! Run little lander, ruuuuun!
I think we'll be safe, as long as he's not falling chainsaw side down.
Re:Martian Lander Snow Angels next? (Score:4, Funny)
*blink*
Ok, how about panache then?
Is that what the "P" setting on my digital camera is for?
"Dropo, you are the laziest man on Mars!" (Score:5, Funny)
This would be the perfect time for Santa Claus to conquer the Martians.
h2wha? (Score:2, Funny)
this dihydrogen-oxide will destroy the ozone layer
Re:If there is water... (Score:5, Funny)
Yep, which means Mars supports vodka production, the key element in colonizing a cold, dark, windswept wasteland.