The sun isn't muddy, but it certainly looks like someone's taken a fistful of mud and splattered its surface. So many people had asked my opinion of the program after it originally aired in February that I felt obligated to see it for myself. I wish I hadn't. I don't want the money. More evidence for ancient life on Mars has some astronomers scrambling for their microscopes, not their telescopes.
Daytime people mourn the loss of the sun - and stargazers grieve over the loss of the stars.
But when the clouds do clear and the night skies are asparkle with stars, the spirits of those who take joy in the heavens take flight. This month is an especially good month to enjoy rare breaks in the clouds. The space station, a source of national pride in Russia, is slowly losing altitude and will be guided to a safe grave in the Pacific Ocean sometime early in March. Even though the station has been the butt of jokes by some and maligned by others, Mir is still very much worthy of the world's respect. The guest list was small - only five people were invited.