The Phoenix lander that has been investigating the North Polar region of Mars has completed its mission and succumbed to the dark and cold of Martian winter. Dust and lack of sunlight have reduced the amount of power that the lander was able to produce, leaving it to eternal slumber. This was expected, and Phoenix was still able to exceed its 90 day planned mission before shutting down.
The lander sampled the soil of the Martian tundra and confirmed the presence of water ice, and other interesting elements. The data form the many experiments, readings and photos taken by Phoenix will keep scientists busy for years to come.
So long, Phoenix. We hardly knew ya.
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