Rest In Peace

So it's finally happened. My very long distance friendship has been terminated.

I've been following the Mars Phoenix lander's exploits over the last few months. I've excitedly looked at its photography as if they were vacation pictures from a distant land and waited in anticipation to see what would be found when it sifted through Martian ice and soil. I promise it's not quite as weird as it sounds.

When I started using twitter (a social microblogging service) I wasn't sure what to do with it. Sure, I had a few friends who also used it, but it's not much of a surprise to see that someone's going to the grocery store moments after you get off the phone with them. One day I stumbled on to an article listing some of the most followed personalities on Twitter, one of them being the Mars Phoenix lander which NASA made to relay information from the lander to the public.

An incredible thing happened, this rover, really a very sophisticated RC car-science lab combination, began to seem very much like a person. It's unending optimism and journey for adventure and discovery inspired me. I, not a science person whatsoever, found myself excited to see what it found in the Martian soil and if it indicates a habitable environment for any life. And when I started hearing the news of the oncoming ice storm, I felt saddened. I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but NASA fooled me into caring for a machine. And I don't mind. RIP MarsPhoenix

If you get a chance, check out the twitter: @MarsPhoenix

And the Phoenix website

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do. I'm half crazy all for the love of you. It won't be a stylish marriage, I can't afford a carriage. But you'll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle built for two. --HAL

Update: MarPhoenix epitaphs article from Wired
Mars Phoenix Returns to the Ashes (via Wired)