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Mars news, Spirit & otherwise
Jan. 26th, 2010 02:51 pmTwo pieces of current Mars news:
1) The Mars Exploration Rover Spirit is now officially stuck. Today, NASA re-designated it a "stationary science platform." (Sounds ominous.) Its current task is to reposition itself -- in place -- to survive the forthcoming Martian winter, which will start in May. All the gory details can be found here.
2) For those of us stuck on Earth, this is a very good week for Mars-watching. Let's all hope for clear skies on Friday night, when the full Moon and Mars will feature in a remarkable conjunction. Mars will be at opposition -- directly opposite the sun -- & will rise with the Moon at sunset, staying close (about 6 degrees) to the first full Moon of 2010.
Thanks to![[info]](https://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/syndicated.gif)
science_at_nasa for item #2.
1) The Mars Exploration Rover Spirit is now officially stuck. Today, NASA re-designated it a "stationary science platform." (Sounds ominous.) Its current task is to reposition itself -- in place -- to survive the forthcoming Martian winter, which will start in May. All the gory details can be found here.
2) For those of us stuck on Earth, this is a very good week for Mars-watching. Let's all hope for clear skies on Friday night, when the full Moon and Mars will feature in a remarkable conjunction. Mars will be at opposition -- directly opposite the sun -- & will rise with the Moon at sunset, staying close (about 6 degrees) to the first full Moon of 2010.
Thanks to
science_at_nasa for item #2. 
