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<p>'''''Phoenix''''' is an exploratory space probe presently on the planet [[Mars]]. Launched in August 2007, its mission is to determine whether or not Mars has ever been capable of supporting life, most likely primitive microbes<ref name=nasa>http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/mission/index.html</ref>. Its on-board instruments are designed to detect the presence of water or artifacts thereof. The mission is headed by the [[University of Arizona]] with the supervision of [[NASA]]<ref name=JPL>http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2008-82</ref>.
<p>'''''Phoenix''''' is an exploratory space probe presently on the planet [[Mars]].
===Overview===
Launched in August 2007, its mission is to determine whether or not Mars has ever been capable of supporting life, most likely primitive microbes<ref name=nasa>http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/mission/index.html</ref>. Its on-board instruments are designed to detect the presence of water or artifacts thereof. The mission is headed by the [[University of Arizona]] with the supervision of [[NASA]]<ref name=JPL>http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2008-82</ref>.
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The lander arrived on Mars on 25th May 2008 in a region scientists speculated contained vast amounts of water ice just beneath the surface. Equipped with the robotic arm, the Phoenix lander was to dig for ice which would be poured into an evaporative oven in order to analyze the elements composed of the surface, allowing scientists to determine the concentration of water in the Martian surface. Analyzing the carbon content of the sample would also allow scientists to determine whether or not microscopic life forms were present.</p>
The lander arrived on Mars on 25th May 2008 in a region scientists speculated contained vast amounts of water ice just beneath the surface. Equipped with the robotic arm, the Phoenix lander was to dig for ice which would be poured into an evaporative oven in order to analyze the elements composed of the surface, allowing scientists to determine the concentration of water in the Martian surface. Analyzing the carbon content of the sample would also allow scientists to determine whether or not microscopic life forms were present.</p>
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On 19th June 2008 scientists confirmed the presence of water ice in a trench dug by the robotic arm near the landing site<ref name=BBC>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7465419.stm</ref>. What had previously been identified only as "white stuff" was seen to sublimate and melt in the heat of the sun. This was an important announcement as water is the prerequisite for the existence of extraterrestrial life elsewhere in the universe.</p>
On 19th June 2008 scientists confirmed the presence of water ice in a trench dug by the robotic arm near the landing site<ref name=BBC>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7465419.stm</ref>. What had previously been identified only as "white stuff" was seen to sublimate and melt in the heat of the sun. This was an important announcement as water is the prerequisite for the existence of extraterrestrial life elsewhere in the universe.</p>
===Young Earth Creationist viewpoint===
It is the opinion of some creationists that the water on Mars has been present since God's creation because it is out of water that all celestial bodies were originally made <ref>{{Bible ref|book=2_Peter|chap=3|verses=5}}</ref>, according to the Bible. Additionally, some water may have "splashed down" to Mars after being ejected from the [[Great Flood]].
== Notes ==
== Notes ==
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