Found! Beagle 2 on Mars

The Beagle 2 Mars lander disappeared after it separated from the Mars Express orbiter on Christmas Day, 2003. Eleven years later, it has been found, partially-deployed on the Martian surface. Longtime Beagle 2 mission leader Mark Sims tells the story. Bill Nye argues for restoration of funds for two great missions. Emily Lakdawalla marvels at incredibly detailed images taken by the Rosetta comet mission. What’s Up goes to school as Mat Kaplan talks to Bruce Betts during his live distance learning astronomy class.

Related Links:

• Beagle 2 Found?
• An Active Comet from a Distance
• Cassini Begins a Year of Icy Moon Encounters
• Bruce Betts’ Free Online College Introduction to Planetary Science and Astronomy

This week's prizes are a 200-point iTelescope.net account worth $200 AND a stylish Planetary Radio t-shirt!

This week's question:

How many bathrooms or toilets are there on the International Space Station?

To submit your answer:

Complete the contest entry form at http://planetary.org/radiocontest or write to us at [email protected] no later than Tuesday, February 24 at 8am Pacific Time. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Last week's question:

What is the diameter of the largest Deep Space Network antennas?

Answer:

The answer will be revealed next week.

Question from the week before:

What are the proper names of the two stars in Ursa Major (The Big Dipper) that point to the North Star?

Answer:

Merak and Dubhe are the stars in Ursa Major (the Big Dipper) that point to Polaris, the North Star.