On the surface of the telescopic supports, on, so to speak, the legs of the Phoenix probe, which has been working on the surface of Mars for more than three months, strange things are happening
In the photographs taken at an interval of three months, one can see how some whitish lumps appear on the supports, and over time their number and size increase.
And three months ago.
Phoenix is located in the polar region of Mars, not far from its 70th latitude. It is an area subject to seasonal climatic changes. The climate is difficult and it is very cold there.
One of Phoenix's tasks is to find out if Mars had the conditions necessary for life to exist. There is no direct biological experiment to search for life. But something starts to grow on the "legs" of the Phoenix.
I would not be surprised (unless, of course, the news does not pass by the yellow press) if it is announced that life has been found on Mars! You can even predict the headlines: "Martian organisms have settled on the space station!" Or something like that.
But, most likely, and even, almost certainly, white growing lumps have nothing to do with life. What then can it be? The Phoenix team does not have an exact answer, because a direct analysis of the substance cannot be carried out.
One speculation is that vapor from the atmosphere begins to precipitate onto the splash of mud created by the Phoenix landing from its jet engines. Droplets of dirt serve as condensation centers.
And the fact that the lumps are on the support from the gray side seems to confirm the hypothesis of condensation. But! In another photo taken three months later, the lumps are visible on the south side of the support.
Another hypothesis is that, again, moisture condensation from the atmosphere occurs, but on salt particles that have settled on the "legs" of the space probe.
Or maybe it's some kind of Martian mold?