PHOENIX MARS LANDER'S BEST PHOTOS

by Dave Mosher, Discovery Space

Not long after NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander reached the Red Planet on May 25, 2008, it began digging into virgin Martian soil to look for signs of life-supporting conditions.

With only months to explore its permanent resting place before freezing, scientists wasted no time beaming back a steady stream of astonishing images.

Here we review some of the best shots Phoenix has sent back to Earth.

Welcome to Mars

Within days of wrapping up a 10-month, 422-million-mile journey to Mars, Phoenix started digging into its dusty surroundings.

This shot, taken about 16 days after landing, reveals the bumpy terrain of northern Mars.

In the scoop of Phoenix's robotic arm is a dirt sample being carried to an on-board microscope.

For a full-resolution image, click here.

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona/Max Planck Institute