Today, NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander confirms that water exists on Mars!  While the spacecraft had previously photographed evidence of water ice, this is the first time that sensitive instruments on the surface of the planet have detected water in the Martian soil.

Additional tests show that the Martian soil is similar to soil on Earth, except without any biological organics. The tests turned up magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride, all of which are useful in organic processes. The soil is also alkaline, with a pH balance between 8 and 9. Leading some scientist to conclude that the Martian soil is capable of sustaining plant life.

Now did anyone remember to put some seeds on the spacecraft?

Earlier today, NASA successfully landed the Phoenix spacecraft on the planet Mars!  That is an amazing accomplishment. Mars is roughly 90 million miles from Earth. That's like making a hole-in-one on another golf course on the other side of the planet. Kudos to NASA and their expert teams of engineers and scientists!

Photo: Phoenix footpad on Mars!

Did you know that we've been paying for it the last 108 years through a federal phone excise tax of 3% on our phone bill to fund the war effort? Until recently no one thought to remove it.

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