News Planetary Science

Touchdown! Phoenix lands on Mars

Lander begins search for habitability

By Ron Cowen

- More than 2 years ago

Planetary scientists Sunday night unveiled the first close-up color images of the northern arctic circle on Mars. The images were taken by the Mars Phoenix Lander only a few hours after its flawless descent onto the Red Planet’s northern plains at 7:38 p.m. EDT, May 25.

FIRST LOOK The Mars Phoenix Lander recorded this image of the northern Martian landscape — never before seen up close — shortly after it landed and deployed its solar arrays a few hours ago.