CBC Radio’s Bob Fournier touched on the Phoenix Mars today: the mission’s goal is to find out if the Mars can (and does) support life. Oh no, not again, you say: however, interestingly, Phoenix is landing closer to the (North) pole. Additionally, for a change, the lander is equipped with a miniature lab (sort of like the Viking landers, but then more advanced, because, well, it’s the 21st century).
Via MetaFilter I found this link to the ‘Seven Wonders of the IT World’, and frankly, some items on the list have me scratching my head. For example, Voyager I is listed (earlier at xsamplex). No really. I think most consider the Voyager missions as a tremendous scientific achievement. The only interesting quote:
How it communicates with Earth: Uses NASA’s Deep Space Network, a system of antennas around the Earth. There’s no IM out here: Signals traveling … take 14 hours one-way to reach Voyager.
The trick question: At what speed does sound travel in space and why is that?