Phoenix Mars Lander Detects Falling Snow On Mars

Phoenix Lander on Mars Snow
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The U.S. space agency, NASA, says its Mars probe has detected snow falling high in the planet's atmosphere. NASA says the Phoenix Lander found the snow falling from clouds about four kilometers above the spacecraft's landing site.

The space agency says tests show the snow vaporized before reaching the red planet's surface.

Experiments by the probe also found evidence of past interaction between minerals and liquid waters.

The Phoenix confirmed the presence of water-ice after landing on Mars on May 25.

NASA scientists want to determine if the ice ever thaws, creating conditions favorable for life.

The Phoenix mission was originally planned for three months but is now in its fifth month. However, NASA says the probe's solar energy is diminishing, likely ending its ability to work by the end of the year.

Reported by VOA News.

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Posted September 30th, 2008 by Armen Hareyan