What is going on Monday with the Spirit rover?
The science team is expected to share results from tests over the weekend with Spirit’s most sensitive instruments. Before letting Spirit rove, scientists couldn’t wait to get some dirt into these key tools to make sure they are working well and to see what they could learn from the rocks beneath the rover. Details are expected Monday. Q: Will these tests tell them whether or not life ever existed on Mars? A: Probably not, scientists say. The rocks within Spirit’s immediate reach are largely wind-blown deposits and volcanic debris that fell from the air over billions of years. The rocks that may tell the history of water (and life) in this ancient lakebed are beneath this layer of dirt. More interesting rocks are far away. Q: Can Spirit get to them? A: Probably not. The distant hills, which rise out of the wind-blown dirt and therefore might hold the answers to crucial questions, would probably take too long to reach. Spirit has only about 90 days to work. Q: If Spirit is solar powered
