Space news
Lots of cool stuff going on in the skies this week. There’s a new red spot on Jupiter indicating the previously white storm clouds have begun to spun higher in the Jupiter atmosphere to heights near to that of the great red spot. The great red spot has been the defining feature of Jupiter since I was a kid, the fact that it’s now been joined by another huge red spot is a reminder that our solar system is not static. In other news, the Phoenix lander is scheduled to make it’s attempted landing at the north pole of Mars tommorow at 7:53pm. Since about half of the missions sent to Mars have failed, there are a lot of scientists holding their breath right about now. It’s certainly exciting, and landing in this northern region of Mars where there is a lot of ice may help to finally answer the big question - did Mars ever harbor life? Might it yet?
The Mars rover, Spirit stumbled over pure silica deposits. Literally stumbled, because Spirit is dragging its broken wheel everywhere it goes. The silica is evidence of hot water at some time in the past. On earth, these areas (hydrothermal vents) teem with life. More investigation at this location is warranted.
