Curiosity Rover Lands On Mars, Scientists Celebrate
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NASA successfully landed the robotic rover Curiosity on Mars early Monday morning.
Curiosity left out of Cape Canaveral Florida last November. Now, it's sending back pictures from the surface of Mars.
It was no easy task landing a rover that weighs one ton and is equipped with lots of cameras and other sensitive equipment.
The voyage spanned nearly eight months and covered over 350 million miles. And Curiosity is twice as long and five times as heavy as rovers before it.
Everything had to go right for this to happen. There was a zero margin for error.
The high-tech craft traveled through the red planet's atmosphere at 13,000 miles per hour before slowing to just 2 miles per hour to be lowered onto the planet's surface early Monday morning.
The parachute attached to it weighed 100 pounds but could withstand 65,000 pounds of force, and at times it got up to 1,600 degrees.
NASA says it was the toughest thing it's ever done, but they're hoping it will be the most worthwhile.
When Curiosity landed successfully, NASA scientists were over the moon, video from mission control showed. Cameras also showed what Curiosity first saw as it landed on the surface of Mars.
The robotic rover will spend the next two years looking for evidence of the ingredients needed for Martian life, including carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur and oxygen.
NASA is obviously very proud that to have not one but two rovers on Mars. Curiosity meets Opportunity, another rover which has been on the red planet for eight years.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:32 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:32:42 GMT
It was a gloomy Sunday as the whole area remain socked in with low clouds & fog, drizzle and scattered showers.
The weather remains unsettled through most of the work week. The difference is that it will really warm up -- temperatures soar into the 80s by Tuesday. That mild and humid air mass will fuel afternoon thunderstorms.
By Thursday a cold front moves by bringing more rain. It will also bring drier and cooler weather by Friday as we finally clear out.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:27 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:27:52 GMT
Pounding winds and violent surf from Hurricane Sandy left their mark on Ocean City, NJ. Beaches were washed out and there's concern about debris washing up. But Mayor Jay Gillian says no need to worry.
Mayor of Ocean City says no need to worry about debris filled beaches after Hurricane Sandy. He says plans have been taking place to make sure they're safe and clean.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:25:28 GMT
The Pennsylvania State Police are searching for 21-year-old Matthew Royer, who went missing after leaving his apartment at the University of Rhode Island. Police says Royer left his college apartment
The Pennsylvania State Police are searching for 21-year-old Matthew Royer, who went missing after leaving his apartment at the University of Rhode Island. Police says Royer left his college apartment
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:20 AM EDT2013-05-19 12:20:57 GMT
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-19 11:58:46 GMT
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:45 AM EDT2013-05-19 05:45:51 GMT
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery.
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery's website.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
