Topic: Glitches Dog Both Mars Rovers and Cassini listens to lightning.

[Nemesis]

Link to Mars rover story

While executing commands on Aug. 1, a semiconductor component on Spirit failed to power on as intended, according to a NASA statement issued today. The component, a programmable gate array, directly affects usability of the rover's three spectrometer instruments, which analyze light from various targets.

Four times in the past two weeks, Opportunity has sent error messages while successfully taking pictures with its microscopic imager, officials said. The problem might be related to degradation of flexible cabling that runs down the rover's robotic arm to the instrument.

Link to Cassini listens to lightning story

Voyager noted lightning from an extended storm system at low latitudes. It lasted for months and was much the same from one day to the next.

Cassini found lightning that is highly episodic. There are large variations in the occurrence of lightning from day to day, sometimes with little or no lightning. There are possibly several short-lived storms at mid-latitudes behind the readings, scientists said Thursday.

The root cause may be shadowy.

When Voyager visited Saturn, the rings cast a very deep shadow near the planet's equator. The atmosphere in a narrow band was permanently in shadow -- making it cold -- and located right next to the hottest part of Saturn's atmosphere. Turbulence between the hot and cold regions could have led to long-lived storms, scientists speculate.

[Nemesis]

Link to Mars Express vulcanism story

New estimates suggest volcanoes could have been active between one million years ago and 20 million years ago, but more work is needed to refine the dates

Previous spacecraft data suggested that volcanism on Mars ceased some time around 600-500 million years ago.

If volcanoes were active as recently as 1 million years ago it becomes more likely that Mars still has some tectonic activity.  Activity that could have released the methane mentioned in prior postings as possible indications of life.  On the other hand vulcanism releases material like water and provides heat sources both of which could help any life that is there to survive and prosper.