Unique Martian soil characteristics found at the Phoenix north polar landing site are slowing initial sample processing by a week, but also providing a scientific windfall. Researchers have never seen soil like this at the five other NASA Mars landing sites, so the discovery left both the lander and its science team literally shaking. The significant differences at the Phoenix site suggest that the material there could be chemically different-with different mineral and grain sizes and compositions. Their water vapor content, if any, is also of great interest. All of this will be of scientific value and could factor into the soil's ability to harbor life, now or in the past. The Phoenix team has collected a new sample of the unusual soil and is ready to drop it on one of 10 substrates for the lander's high-powered microscope with 4-micron-resolution capability. This will provide details on grain size, shape and color as well as clues to the soil's adhesion properties.
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