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Shake 'N Bake: Unclogged Phoenix Ovens Ready

Scientists hope cooking Martian soil will yield clues to its nature

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 12, 2008 7:26 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Scientists were cheering yesterday after a tricky operation succeeded in shaking Martian dirt into the Phoenix lander's oven, the Los Angeles Times. The spacecraft will now spend the next few weeks heating up soil samples and analyzing gases. Scientists hope the tests and photos being sent back today will help them understand why the planet's strange, clumpy soil is so different from what they expected.

The Phoenix Mars Lander used its robotic arm to test a sprinkle method for delivering small samples of soil to instruments on the lander deck.
The Phoenix Mars Lander used its robotic arm to test a "sprinkle" method for delivering small samples of soil to instruments on the lander deck.   (AP Photo)
This image acquired by NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander's Robotic Arm camera shows material from the Martian surface captured by the robotic arm scoop on Tuesday June 3, 2008. N
This image acquired by NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander's Robotic Arm camera shows material from the Martian surface captured by the robotic arm scoop on Tuesday June 3, 2008. N   (AP Photo)
This image shows the Robotic Arm scoop containing a soil sample poised over the partially open door of the Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer's number four cell, or oven.
This image shows the Robotic Arm scoop containing a soil sample poised over the partially open door of the Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer's number four cell, or oven.   (AP Photo)
In this photo taken by the Phoenix Mars Lander's surface stereo imager on Saturday, June 8, 2008, the two trenches dug by Phoenix's robotic arm are shown on the surface of Mars.
In this photo taken by the Phoenix Mars Lander's surface stereo imager on Saturday, June 8, 2008, the two trenches dug by Phoenix's robotic arm are shown on the surface of Mars.   (AP Photo)
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Ovens ready to start cooking on Friday
Science News

Scientists mix Earth dirt in attempt to re-create Mars clumps
Reuters

 
NASA • space exploration • Mars • Phoenix • Phoenix Mars Lander • soil sample

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