NASA Finds Snow in Clouds on Mars

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The Phoenix Lander previously detected ice from soil samples it excavated and tested with its on-board instruments. Now, with another on-board instrument, Canadian Space Agency's LIDAR, the lander was able to detect ice crystals in the clouds 2.5 miles high up in the Martian atmosphere. Since, the instrument is only capable of measuring content in the sky, it's not clear if the snow crystals made it to the surface. Scientists, however, say it's possible or even likely that the snow fell.

Winter is fast approaching on Mars and decreasing amounts of solar energy will make it difficult for the Lander to keep its on-board instruments warm; the weather may cripple or crack the instruments. The Phoenix Lander, however, has a “Lazarus” feature and may revive itself next summer, but NASA scientists aren't betting on it.

The Lander has exceeded NASA’s expectations so far by working beyond its expected 90-day mission cap.

The Lander will keep working as the weather permits. So far, the Lander has detected certain clay-like substances and calcium carbonates (limestone), and scientists say neither of them could have formed without the presence of liquid water. The Phoenix Lander has photographed surface fog and cloud formations.

Jim Whiteway of Toronto’s York University is the lead scientist for the Canadian Meteorological Station on the Phoenix Lander. He told the press the presence of fog and clouds gives a hint about the presence of water on the planet in the past as well as in the present.

As efluxmedia.com reports:

"What this is telling us is that water does rise from the ground to the atmosphere and then precipitates down...So there is a hydrological cycle on Mars, and now other experts will study the data and try to determine what it all means."

If this discovery was made in the summer, the Lander could have performed more tests. But less sunlight makes it impossible, as its instruments require a minimum temperature to operate.

The Phoenix Lander project cost NASA $428 million.