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Photos Winter Haven
Scientists have complied a list of more drastic measures if power levels fall lower than expected, including turning off the survival heater for the rover's miniature spectrometer. That instrument was key to analyzing what principal investigator Steve Squyres with Cornell University said may turn out to be Spirit's more important find: a patch of nearly pure silica -- the main ingredient of window glass -- in the Mars soil. Scientists believe the silica is either a hot spring deposit or the result of acidic steam rising through cracks. On Earth, both settings teem with microbial life. "This concentration of silica is probably the most significant discovery by Spirit for revealing a habitable niche that existed on Mars in the past," Squyres said. Spirit's twin, Opportunity, is exploring the other side of Mars' equator, having recovered better from the dust storm. Winds cleaned off Opportunity's dusty solar wing panels and the rover is exploring layers of exposed rock in an area known as Victoria Crater. The rovers, which landed on Mars in January 2003, already have been operating more than 15 times longer than originally planned. Related Links: Irene Klotz's blog: Space Diary |
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