For publishers in Portland, Oregon

Phoenix has landed on Mars!

I'm supposed to be editing, but I can't get any work done today because Phoenix has landed on Mars! Of course, there are still many steps before the lander is fully operational and digging, but the nail-biting entry, descent, and landing is over. Phoenix has performed beautifully so far; I am just giddy with excitement.

This is great news for astrobiology. As Phoenix digs into the martian polar soil and ice, astrobiologists will be watching every new finding. Phoenix is not equipped to search for signs of life, but it will forge ahead in studies of martian geology and climate.

I can't write anymore. I'm getting too worked up.

Visit www.nasa.gov and phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu.

Image credits:
The martian north pole, NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
First images from Phoenix, NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona