Fw: Latest News from the Astrobiology Magazine

[LARRY KLAES]

----- Original Message ----- From: Astrobiology Magazine To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, December 27, 2004 5:34 AM Subject: Latest News from the Astrobiology Magazine Genesis: In the End... http://www.astrobio.net/news/article1362.html Counting down the top ten astrobiology stories for 2004 highlights the accomplishments of those exploring Mars, Saturn, comets, and planets beyond Pluto. Number ten in this countdown was the remarkable story of the Genesis mission, the first attempt to capture solar wind and return it for laboratory analysis. Release Towards Titan Successful http://www.astrobio.net/news/article1361.html The Huygens probe which will descend through Titan's thick, smoggy atmosphere on January 14, was successfully detached from its carrier ship, the Cassini probe now orbiting Saturn. The Christmas day release set Huygens on its ballistic trajectory towards an attempted landing on the mysterious moon. Modern Martian Marvels: Volcanoes? http://www.astrobio.net/news/article1360.html The European Mars Express orbiter continues to take overhead and perspective shots of landmarks on the red planet. The remarkable clarity at first glance appears to be a simulation. Scientists have pursued their mapping tour around Olympus Mons, the solar system's largest volcano, as one of the mission's goals. This week's announcement of relatively recent volcanic activity on Mars is likely to heat up the debate on habitability. Titan: The Moon That Howls Back http://www.astrobio.net/news/article1358.html On Christmas Eve, the Cassini spacecraft will release its wok-shaped Huygens probe on the start of an intimate date with Saturn's largest moon, Titan. On Jan. 14, at 4 a.m. EST, Huygens will enter Titan's methane-rich atmosphere at a speed of 12,000 mph, rapidly decelerate, then deploy its parachute at an altitude above 90 miles. Because methane gas gets depleted quickly, its high concentration on Titan implies a regenerative source. But which one? Monday, December 27 ------------------------ For more astrobiology news, visit http://www.astrobio.net To unsubscribe, send subject UNSUBSCRIBE to [EMAIL PROTECTED]