News From Space!

The first images from the icy North Pole of Mars have begun streaming back to Earth from the Phoenix Lander.  NASA reports:

Phoenix Raw Image

This is a raw, or unprocessed, image taken by the Phoenix lander on Mars, May 25, 2008. This is a screen grab taken from NASA TV.

Phoenix Lands at Martian Arctic Site
NASA’s Phoenix spacecraft landed in the northern polar region of Mars today to begin three months of examining a site chosen for its likelihood of having frozen water within reach of the lander’s robotic arm.
›  Post-mission briefing begins: 12 a.m. May 26 p.m. Eastern, NASA TV on the Web

Video report here. Discussion here and here. Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV.

The Phoenix lander has touched down on the surface of Mars! NASA reports:

Mars Phoenix Lander Update — Touchdown

Above, an artist concept of the Phoenix lander on Mars.

A signal has been detected from Phoenix indicating that the lander is on the surface of Mars.

Pre-landing release: May 25, 3:15 p.m.
›  Landing coverage begins: 6:30 p.m. Eastern, NASA TV on the Web

On the Phoenix Blog: Landing Day
05.25.08 — With a day left before entry, descent, and landing, Phoenix is in good health, and today teams are focusing on whether we need a final trajectory correction maneuver tonight.
Go to blog, post your comments

Phoenix on NASA TV
May 25, NASA TV coverage begins 6:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. Pacific)
May 25, First possible landing confirmation 7:53 p.m. (4:53 p.m. Pacific)
May 26, Post-landing briefing, 12 a.m.
›  NASA TV on the Web
›  Schedule of landing events
›  Landing Press Kit (3Mb)

Video report here. Discussion here. Check the links at right for play-by-play and NASA TV. More info at JPL and the University of Arizona.