Last week NASA scientists announced that the Phoenix Lander, a robotic spacecraft that was sent to the red planet a year ago, has been successful in its mission to locate water. After several failed attempts, NASA experts were finally able to scoop some soil containing ice into one of Phoenix's miniature ovens. These soil samples were heated and the vapour analysed to see what chemicals were contained in the ice. The hydrogen and oxygen that was given off, along with the extra power required to heat water told the scientists what they already knew, that there is some water on Mars. Despite the claims that Mars may have once been awash with water, no sign of life has ever been detected on the red planet. A few years ago scientists discovered a Martian meteorite that contained very small carbon structures. It was claimed at the time that these structures were proof that life once existed on the red planet. Those claims were later retracted and most scientists agreed that these structures arose through non-biological processes. But NASA has briefed the US government on the findings of this latest mission, and is expected to announce later this month that Martian soil may be capable of supporting life. Not that there was life there originally, but that it could theoretically support life given the right conditions.

Quote: "News media cited the water ice finding as a major discovery, but it was totally expected by the science team. The different MECA data combined with TEGA is increasingly compelling as another piece in the puzzle of life. The key is in the soil and water, and how the two behave together at that site on Mars, not the expected confirmation of water ice at this stage in the mission, Mars investigators told Aviation Week. The MECA instrument, in its first of four wet chemistry runs a month ago, found soil chemistry that is "Earth-like" and capable of supporting life, researchers said then. It is intriguing that MECA could have found anything more positive than that, but NASA and the University of Arizona are taking steps to prevent word from leaking out on the nature of the discovery made during MECA's second soil test, in which water from Earth was automatically stirred with Martian soil.

I find this news extremely interesting. Sometimes I wonder what Mars was like in the past. We have a written record of the dramatic changes that Earth has endured over the past 6000 years, with Noah's flood and the collapse of the vapour canopy. Could it be that the flood was triggered by some cataclysmic event in the solar system? Could Mars have been affected by this? We aren't told. But the Bible does state that because of Adam's sin, the whole of creation groans and travails in pain until now (Romans 8:19-22). Even the outer space has been affected by Adam's sin (Job 15:15). And we know that following the Millennial Reign of Christ, God will create new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness (2nd Peter 3:13). Then sometimes I wonder why mankind shows more interest in a planet that's dead than one in which life abounds? We spend millions of dollars exploring planets that we know to be devoid of life, while neglecting the life that now occupies our own planet. I'm talking about Africa and other places, where people die every day because they haven't any food or water. Finding water on Mars isn't going to help them any. I think the reason why man is so interested in the moon and Mars is because of our sin. Mankind was created to be the caretaker of Earth (Genesis 2:15). He was instructed by God to fill the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28). But he has neglected his God-given responsibility. Instead of filling the earth, mankind built cities (Genesis 4:17). Instead of taking care of a planet teeming with life, mankind has forsaken his own planet and now looks to Mars for the future. Perhaps if Mars was at one time capable of sustaining life, it is a mercy of God that it is not now.

Praise God that despite man's utter failure to fulfill his God-given role, we do have a glorious future to look forward to. And we know that when Christ returns, and following the Millennial Reign of Christ, there will be new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. And just like Mars, Revelation tells us that there will be no more sea (Revelation 21:1). And no more death, nor crying, nor pain, nor sorrow (Revelation 21:4), for the former things are passed away. Will you be one of the ones who will inhabit this new earth? You can be, if you have trusted Jesus Christ for salvation. Adam's sin brought ruin to this world (1st Corinthians 15:22), but Jesus Christ has brought salvation (Titus 2:11). Through His sacrifice upon the cross, all who repent of their sins and believe on Him for salvation can have everlasting life. Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Revelation 21:1-7
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Source BBC, Space, Aviation Week

This link came from my friend Rosemary and ElijahReborn. Last month astronomers revealed that they had detected an asteroid that they believed could be on a collision course with the planet Mars. According to the projected orbit, astronomers estimated that 2007 WD5 had a one in twenty five chance of colliding with Mars on the 30th of January. NASA said those odds were unusually low, and the potential impact received much coverage in the press. But further calculations have effectively ruled out the possibility of an asteroid strike on Mars, at least for the time being. Astronomers have now turned their attention towards another celestial body. This time there has not been so much as a whisper in the press. Asteroid 2007 TU24 is believed to be around 400 metres in diameter, and according to current calculations, it is expected to pass within 1.4 lunar distances of earth. The object will brighten to a magnitude of 11, allowing astronomers to photograph it as it passes by on January 29th. It will be the closest approach of an asteroid to earth on NASA's Potentially Hazardous Asteroid list until the year 2027. Just a few months ago, another asteroid passed within 0.3 lunar distances of earth. 2007 XB23 is roughly 20 metres in diameter, but still large enough to cause significant damage in the event of a direct impact.

What is it about asteroid impacts that strikes fear into the hearts of men? Perhaps it is because of their potential to destroy life on earth. Perhaps it is because if they knew an asteroid was bound for earth, there is very little they could do to prevent it. During the tribulation period, the book of Revelation tells of a day when the "stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind", Revelation 6:13. Jesus Christ also spoke of the Day of the Lord, when "there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken", Luke 21:25-26. Men fear the unknown. At the start of the year, I was also afraid of what the future held for me this coming year. But our faith is in a God Who knows the future better than we remember the past. God has ordained the ordinances of the heavens (Job 38:33), and He upholds them by the Word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). There is nothing that can happen to this planet with God's knowledge, and there is absolutely nothing that can happen to the child of God without His prior consent. Those who have trusted in Christ for salvation are eternally secure. But for those who have not trusted in Christ for salvation, an awful time awaits. For not only will they face the wrath of God in this world when the power of the heavens will be shaken, but they will be eternally separated from God if they die in their sins. Jesus Christ came to earth 2000 years ago. He bore God's punishment for our sins when He died upon the cross of Calvary. And because Jesus Christ has died, God is able to be "just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus", Romans 3:26. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today, and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31).

Source JPL, Catalina Sky Survey, PHA

Astronomers have discovered three galaxies that are perfectly aligned from the viewpoint of earth. It is the first time scientists have found such an anomaly, and they hope that their unusual alignment may provide further insight into our understanding of the heavens. The galaxies are around 2 billion, 7 billion and 11 billion light years distant from earth. The light from the furthest galaxies is being distorted by the gravity of the closest galaxy, forming two concentric rings of light around the first galaxy. These rings allow astronomers to make calculations on the dark matter, which they believe makes up most of the matter in the universe. Dark matter neither creates or reflects light, and can only be detected through its gravitational force on light passing near it. Astronomers believe that the forces of dark matter and dark energy are causing the universe to expand, and are largely responsible for creating the vast superstructures of galaxies we see around us today.

Quote: ""Having three objects almost perfectly aligned along the line of sight is an extremely rare event," Tommaso Treu, an astrophysicist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, said at the press briefing. "It's more unlikely than winning two consecutive bets in a single number of roulette."

Just a few months ago I commented on another recent astronomical discovery which had been made. Astronomers have discovered that most spiral galaxies in our universe are rotating clockwise from the viewpoint of earth. To explain this bizarre phenomenon, astronomers suggested that either some unknown force is acting on these galaxies, or else the universe is lop-sided. The big bang theory suggests that the universe should be completely uniform throughout and have no edge. But this is not what we are seeing. There is a third explanation, that the Earth is somewhere near the centre of our universe and all these galaxies are rotating around us in a clockwise fashion. I believe the discovery of three galaxies perfectly aligned may not be due to the effects of dark matter, but rather is testament to a Creator God Who upholds all things by the Word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). The books of Job, Psalms and Isaiah give us further insight into the power of our God.

Job 38:31-33
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?

Isaiah 48:13
Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.

The Lord once challenged Abraham to number the stars, and if he could, he would be able to number the descendants God had promised to give him (Genesis 15:5). Four thousand years later, man is no closer to accomplishing that feat. We are finding it difficult to even number the galaxies, which can contain up to a hundred billion stars each, let alone number the stars. And yet our God has not only numbered them, but has a name for every one (Psalm 147:4). Three thousand years ago it was written in the Bible that the Lord stretched out the heavens (Isaiah 42:5), and today men are only beginning to understand that truth. Astronomers are willing to believe in the existence of a substance which cannot be seen, yet many are unwilling to believe in a God which has revealed Himself to mankind. The God that created the heavens also created you. He came into this world two thousand years ago, and gave His life on the cross for you. Jesus Christ died for your sins, so that you might have a relationship with your Creator. Trust in Him for salvation today.

Isaiah 42:5-7
Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee (Jesus Christ) in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Source National Geographic

Following on from yesterday's news about asteroid 2007 XB23, which missed earth a mere 65,000 miles, astronomers have revealed today that another asteroid may be in for a close encounter with the planet Mars. The object, which has been named 2007 WD5, was discovered in November of this year. Astronomers believe it is roughly the same size as the one that caused the Tunguska event in 1908, and has a 1 in 75 chance of striking the red planet in January. The scientists state that these odds are unusually low, and they expect the odds to reduce further as more observations are carried out next month.

Quote: "If the asteroid does smash into Mars, it will probably hit near the equator close to where the rover Opportunity has been exploring the Martian plains since 2004. The robot is not in danger because it lies outside the impact zone. Speeding at 8 miles a second, a collision would carve a hole the size of the famed Meteor Crater in Arizona. In 1994, fragments of the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 smacked into Jupiter, creating a series of overlapping fireballs in space. Astronomers have yet to witness an asteroid impact with another planet. "Unlike an Earth impact, we're not afraid, but we're excited," Chesley said.

The Shoemaker Levi 9 impact was probably the most photographed space event in the history of the universe. Telescopes from all over earth were focused in on the comet as it approached Jupiter, which at that time was probably around 800 million miles from Earth. The impacts from the comet left a visible "bruise" on Jupiter the same size our planet. The Mars impact, if it happens, will be a mere 70 million miles away. Significantly closer to home. As Chesley states, astronomers are excited about the prospect of an impact. The Bible says "the heavens declare the glory of God" (Psalm 19:1). The majesty of the heavens are awe-inspiring. There is something very powerful in witnessing the forces of nature, even when they can be so destructive. Praise God that He has designed our solar system in such a way that the gas giants of Jupiter and Saturn largely protect us from such destructive forces. But let us always remember that it is He that protects the earth, for He created the heavens and upholds them by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). And if He created them, then He will also judge them (Genesis 8:25). Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, for He is a merciful God.

Revelation 11:18
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Source Chron, NASA NEO