Helpmyphysics

Watched live on Nasa TV the landing of the Phoenix Lander on Mars . What excitement as the lander touched down at 12.53pm last night.
It was amazing to hear the spacecaft`s velocity reducing from 21,000 kilometres per hour (13,000 mph) to touchdown on the planet`s surface after a journey of 10 months covering a distance of 680 million kilometres ( 423 million miles).
Perhaps one day we will be witnessing the landing of humans on the surface. In the meantime it is up to robot like craft to explore the surface.
Phoenix will not rove about the Martian surface rather it will dig holes into the Northern landscape peeling away layers of soil down to the frozen layer where instruments will check for water and habitable conditions…maybe life itself.
Good luck Phoenix.
If you want to see how it landed click here

 

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In this show Mr Mallon tells the story of the atom from Democritus right the way up to Neils Bohr. Great revision for your Higher Physics.
Granny Physics hands over to Cassie McDonald and Chloe Selkirk where they review a cracking good science book.
And finally Mr Mallon poses the question of UFOs and visiting aliens.

Links in the show:
George`s secret key to the universe.
Music from the show:
Theme tune from Fireball XL5 by Don Spencer.
UFO tv series
The movie The Day the Earth Stood Still