A composite image showing the surface of Mars around the landing site of the Mars Pathfinder craft.
(Image Credit: NASA/JPL)

The rovers Spirit and Opportunity landed on Mars early last year. What have they told us about the planet? Join guest host Joe Palca and scientist Steve Squyres in this hour of Science Friday for a look at our nearest planetary neighbor, Mars. We'll also get a preview of the next Mars mission, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which is set to launch next week. What can it tell us about Mars that the rovers can not?

Plus, astronomers say they have found a Kuiper belt-object bigger than Pluto. The object, with the catchy temporary name of 2003UB313, lies 10 billion miles from the sun. Although the actual size of the object is still unknown -- as calculations to determine that depend in part on knowing what the surface of the object is made of -- the discoverers of the object say they're sure it's larger than Pluto. So should the new find get 'planetary' status? Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
Mike Brown
Professor of Planetary Astronomy
Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
California Institite of Technology
Pasadena, California

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Steve Squyres
Principle Investigator, Scientist, Mars Exploration Rover Mission
Author, "Roving Mars: Spirit, Opportunity, and the Exploration of the Red Planet"
Professor of Astronomy, Cornell University
Ithaca, New York

Richard Zurek
Project Scientist
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, California

Books/Articles Discussed:

"Roving Mars: Spirit, Opportunity, and the Exploration of the Red Planet," by Steven Squyres. Hyperion, 2005.

(find books discussed on previous broadcasts)

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This segment produced by Annette Heist