Mars Phoenix Lander Uncovers Ice According to Scientists

The Mars Phoenix lander may have uncovered exactly what scientists have been looking for as photos taken by the spacecraft appear to show a large patch of ice just below the planet’s surface.

As the lander approached the surface on its decent its thrusters apparently moved much of the top soil and revealed the ice. Pictures taken after the craft landed detail what appears to be a sheet of ice below one of its legs.

Scientists had been hoping to uncover the ice and the recent photos give them great hope that the Phoenix will be able to dig into the ice and retrieve what could be proof of organic compounds necessary for life.

The Phoenix lander is equipped with an eight-foot arm that will be used to dig below the surface to take samples. Those samples will then be heated and measuring devices will test the gases that are emitted.

It will still be several days before the digging begins.

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